GOVERNOR SULE UNVEILS KITS, TROPHIES FOR GOVERNOR’S CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, 2025

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Tuesday, received the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, and Chairman of the State Football Association, Salisu Galadima, accompanied by some Executive Chairmen of the thirteen Local Government Areas led by the Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area and ALGON, Hon. Safiyanu Isah Andaha, and other critical football stakeholders at the Government House, Lafia, in a ceremony marking the unveiling of the official jerseys and trophies for the fast-approaching 2025 Governor’s Cup Football Tournament.

In his remarks, Governor Sule expressed his continued support to promoting sports development in the State, highlighting the Governor’s Cup tournament’s potential to unearth new football talents, create peaceful co-existence, and drive socioeconomic growth across the State.

“The whole idea about the Governor’s Cup is to bring out the best among the pool of talents we have in our State for development to become global stars, and maintain the peace we have been enjoying in the State.

“It is not easy to continue to see the name of Nasarawa State being echoed all over the country for positive reasons.

“I can’t take this credit alone. It is a collective achievement, and let me use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Kwanta Yakubu, and the FA Chairman, Salisu Galadima Basira for the wonderful job you are doing to develop sports in the State.

“At this point, I enjoin all the Executive Chairmen of the thirteen Local Government Areas present here today to ensure a healthy competition amongst their teams during the Governor’s Cup competition so that we can get worthy champions at the end of the tournament”, the Governor stated.

While pledging to donate an operational vehicle to the State Football Association, the Governor said it was the purpose-driven, hospitable and serene environment of Nasarawa State that have warranted stakeholders from across the country and beyond to host their programmes in State, promising to leave nothing to chance to sustain the tempo.

In his brief address, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, lauded the Governor’s vision and leadership, pledging the full support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development towards the success of the Governor’s Cup, while urging all stakeholders to rally behind the initiative, aimed at harnessing the transformative power of football to uplift the State and its people.

“We thank Your Excellency for the continuous show of love for sports development in the State.

“Your Excellency’s signature in sports development can never be overemphasized because you have deliberately placed the State’s youth and sports in national and international spaces as the State and her athletes continue to excel at various sporting activities, particularly the most recent feat achieved by our wonderful Nasarawa Amazons who clinched the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Cup Tournament trophy in Bayelsa State.

“Your Excellency remain the reason we are succeeding in sports today because you are our source of inspiration, and we assure you that we will continue to work hard and smart to ensure that all hidden potentials in the State are discovered and harnessed for podium appearances in line with your blueprint for youth and sports”, Kwanta assured.

Salisu Galadima Basira, the Nasarawa State Football Association Chairman, elaborated on the Governor’s Cup tournament’s structure and logistics, assuring participants and other stakeholders of a historic experience packed with attractive prizes

“Your Excellency, your vision for grassroots sports has led to the revival of the defunct Governor’s Cup which is into its second edition since you assumed office.

“This tournament, hosted in your honour, is played among the thirteen Local Government Areas of the State.

“The tournament has continued to lift our hopes and creating opportunities for young players to showcase their talents, and social bonding.

“The tournament has in it the champions’ trophy, medals, individual prizes, prize money, among other mouthwatering packages for a successful competition.

“We thank Your Excellency for all your supports to sports development, and like Oliver Twist, we wish to appeal to Your Excellency to donate a vehicle to the State FA to ease our mobility challenges”, Salisu requested.

Lafia Local Government Area are the defending champions of the Governor’s Cup tournament after winning the last edition, held in October 26th, 2024, thrashing Nasarawa Local Government Area by 4-1 at the Lafia City Stadium.

Also in attendance at the unveiling ceremony were Hon. Muazu Maifata, Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chietaincy Affairs; Mr. Solomon Babanjah Chairman of Nasarawa United FC, and Technical Adviser, Nasarawa United FC, Mangut Mbwas.

The colourful ceremony culminated with the unveiling of the official jerseys and match balls, emblazoned with the tournament’s logo and State Government’s insignia, and trophies for this year’s and next two years’ editions, to the Governor.