GOVERNOR SULE REWARDS NASARAWA AMAZONS AFTER PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT TRIUMPH

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, received the State’s female football team, Nasarawa Amazons, at the Government House, in Lafia, after they emerged champions at the recent Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Pre-season Cup Tournament held in Benin City, Edo State.

The team members were rewarded with a cash prize of Ten Million Naira(N10,0000,000.00) by the Governor for their outstanding achievement.

The Governor who was visibly impressed by the team’s performance, praised their commitment, hard work, and team spirit.

He noted that their victory was not only a proof to their skills but also a source of pride for the State.

“I am glad to receive our champions of today, and by the grace of God, tomorrow, the pride of Nasarawa State, Nasarawa Amazons.

“May I heartily congratulate the champions, the coaching crew, and supporting team, particularly the Chairperson of the Club, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, who has always been there with you.

“May I also congratulate the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and its leadership who have been the links between the club and the Government.”

While assuring to meet the yearnings of the State’s women’s football team, the Governor made a donation of Ten Million Naira to serve as incentives in the tasks ahead.

“I wish to inform you that the challenges you made mention of have been pencilled down for tackling, and very soon, they will be taken care of.

“I also learnt you won a prize money of ten Million Naira as Champions of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Pre-season Tournament. I am adding Ten Million Naira to that prize money to further boost your morale.”

Governor Sule pledged his administration’s unflinching supports to both Nasarawa Amazons and Nasarawa United, as well as other sports to thrive in the State and country as a whole.

“I say little about Nasarawa Amazons because they will remain our champions. That doesn’t take the fact that I also encourage our male team, Nasarawa United FC, because they do need the encouragement more than you do due to their current standings in the Nigeria Premier League.

“I will continue to show them my support, whether publicly or secretly, because I am also still proud of them.

“I strongly believe that they will come out stronger, even if it requires that we make some changes to enable them come out stronger.

“I am just waiting for the end of the first stanza of the NPFL Season, then we can make the necessary changes.”

He disclosed that the success of the State’s sports teams at competitions help to woo investors to the State in various ways.

Leading the delegation to the Government House, State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, said the team’s success at the Pre-season Tournament was as a result of the Governor’s continued support and commitment to youth and sports development in the State, adding that the Ministry would remain committed to providing opportunities and support for young athletes to excel and make the State proud.

Speaking earlier, Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, appreciated the Governor for his unalloyed support to the club, promising to replicate the gesture by producing positive results.

She revealed that Nasarawa Amazons maintained a seamless performance throughout the Pre-season Tournament, winning all their games, notably against Confluence Queens, Abia Angels, Remo Queens, Edo Queens enroute to the final against 2023/24 Nigeria Women’s Premier League title winners, Bayelsa Queens, highlighting certain areas the team have been doing well aside winning the Pre-season Tournament, including the duo of Akerekoromwei Janet winning the golden boot award for scoring seven goals, and Unachukwu Udoka scooping the golden glove award, while the likes of Josephine Matthias, Sikiratu Isah, Yina Adoo, Unachukwu Udoka and Akerekoromwei Janet all being featured in the Super Falcons’s of Nigeria’s international friendly games against the Fennecs of Algeria and Les Bleues of France.

The Chairperson also mentioned the invitation of some players of Nasarawa Amazons for Nigeria’s U-20 and U-17 teams respectively, as the team’s Technical Adviser who also spearheads Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s team, the Falconets,, Christopher Danjuma, got shortlisted for the CAF Coach of the Year award.

Hajiya Hussaina requested the support of the Government in meeting some of the team’s pressing needs.

The ceremony was attended by top Government officials, including, Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, Aides to the Governor, sports administrators, particularly representatives from the State Football Association, and other stakeholders in the sports sector.

Recall that Nasarawa Amazons defeated current Nigeria Women’s Premier League Champions, Bayelsa Queens 6-5 in a nail-biting penalty shootout after regulation time ended goalless apiece at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, 16th October, 2024.

Highpoints of the ceremony were presentations of the Pre-season Tournament trophy, medals, Ten Million Naira dummy cheque won at the Pre-season Tournament, as well as players who recently participated in Nigeria’s International friendly matches, and sectional photographs.