By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The team defeated the host state by a lone goal to be crowned winners of the most popular, glamorous and oldest grassroots football tournament in the country.
Earlier, in the third place match, Gombe defeated Ogun State by 2-1 to emerge as the third best team of the week- long tournament.
While declaring the championship close, Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was represented by the state’s Commissioner For Sports Kabiru Ado Lakwaya commended all the teams for the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited throughout the duration of the competition with a promise that Kano State will sustain the sponsorship of the annual championship even as he commended Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria ( YSFON) for using the competition and similar ones to develop grassroots sports in the country.
In his remarks, National President of (YSFON) Dr. Nasiru Gawuna expressed appreciation to the government and people of Kano State for partnering with the Federation in developing grassroots sports in Nigeria with an appeal to other states and corporate Nigeria to emulate the state and enable youths achieve their potentials through sports.
“Kudos must go to the Kano State Government for being there for us.
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The final attracted important personalities such as Chairman of Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, representative of Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral B.J Gbassa, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig. Gen S. Nicodemus, GOC 1 Division, representative of Chief of Defence Staff Lt Col. Gandi Bello and IGP Rep. Deputy Commissioner of Police Deinma Abibo,Police Sports Department amongst others.
A total of 20 states from across the Federation participated in the tournament which is organised annually in honour of late Head of State Gen. Muritala Ramat Mohammed.
Meanwhile in the YSFON President’s athletics meet which was held simultaneously with the tournament, Victor Moses from Kaduna won gold in 100 meters while Bashir Abubakar of Kano and Afun Michael of Ekiti won silver and bronze respectively.
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