By; ECHE AMOS, Lafia
Chairman of AYD FC, a Nationwide League One side based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Yakubu Doma, has thumbed up the board of the Nasarawa State Football Association headed by Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’ for introducing breathtaking innovations and incentives to grassroots football in the state.
In an exclusive interview with Eche Amos on Wednesday, immediately after his team’s 3-2 win over Keffi Warriors FC in the curtain raiser of the 2024 Nasarawa State Federation’s Cup tie decided at the Lafia City Stadium, the young but versatile club administrator bared his mind thus.
“Honestly, I am impressed with the Organizers of the Federation’s Cup, that is the Nasarawa State Football Association chaired by my friend and brother, Alhaji Salisu Galadima because of the innovations and other beautiful developments that are springing up since his assumption of office, especially from what I witnessed on the pitch today(Wednesday).
“I can see the FA Board has introduced the ‘Man-of-the-Match’ award for the best player on the field per match.
“Also, I learnt there will be cash prizes to the two finalists of the FA Cup this year; this is very rare, you know. It’s marvelous and a good initiative.
“And then, the massive involvement of the Media to cover the Competition is heartwarming. It’s as if it is only Nasarawa State that is playing the FA Cup in Nigeria because the news has really gone viral, whether through the electronic, print or online mediums.
“What this means is that our budding talents are being exposed to the world and the efforts of the State FA are being followed around the globe.
“So, I must commend the FA Chairman and his Board and urge them to continue with this beautiful step to greatness they have taken.
“We the stakeholders will join hands to support both the Chairman and his Board to take football to an enviable position in the State and beyond.”
Speaking on his expectations for his club, AYD, in this year’s FA Cup, Abdullahi disclosed that his desire was to play in the final and pick one of the two available slots for the National Federation’s Cup competition.
“For this competition (FA Cup), we recruited some new players to complement the ones we already have on ground.
“This is to curtail any complacency and give us an edge over any opposition in this competition. You know this is a knockout inter-club tournament where you don’t give room for complacency nor have a second chance. You can only become the best when you beat the best, and we are fully ready for that challenge.
“No doubts, Nasarawa United FC who are our next opponents are the highest ranked team in this competition and have won the trophy more than any other team else since the inception of the FA Cup in Nasarawa State, but if Basira FC could win them in the 2023 edition, my boys will pick it up from there as a challenge to achieve similar feat.
“We might be the underdogs but the outcome will surprise you. We want to play at the National Challenge Cup.
“Additionally, I give a lot of morale-boosting incentives to my players that enable them to go an extra mile in any game we play to deliver result.”
AYD FC set a Semi-Final clash against Nasarawa United FC who were drawn bye after a deserved victory over Keffi Warriors, and are seeking their first appearance in the final of the State FA Cup since the club was founded in 2014.
