News Editor
By Edwin Philip
Nasarawa State now with the status of home of sports fiesta in Nigeria has been commendation by the Youth Sport Federation of Nigeria ( YUSFON) for providing a peaceful and hospitality as part of growing sport in Nigeria.
National Technical Director of YUSFON, Mr Abdulgafa Agbola gave the commendation while speaking to journalist during the opening match of the week long Ramat International championship featuring under 16 football teams across Nigeria.
Agbola described Nasarawa state at the main bowl of the Lafia City Stadium as a wonderful state full of hospitality noted that the state have carve a nic for its self in the area of sports growth and development.
“Nasarawa State is a wonderful place, very very wonderful in terms of hospitality, I have been here since Wednesday and infact I have been enjoying my stay, I was even discussing with a colleague saying that even if we finished the league final on Saturday I might extend my stay for another two days, because of the serene and comfortable environment I found myself in Nasarawa State”, Agbola stated.
Agbola who expressed satisfaction with the display of talent by the lads, at the opening game of the championship which featured Nasarawa and other North Central States said if encouraged, the tournament would go a along way to justify the reason for the establishment of YUSFON about 60 years ago.
“YUSFON will be cloaking 60 this year, when you calculate 1965 to present day, so that is what we have been doing over the years, you can see some talent, Kwara football academy is an academy of its own, and I understand the Nasarawa boys were assembled purposely for this tournament, am impressed so far with what they are playing” The Technical Director added.
“The tournament in the past years had featured international teams from countries such as Benin Republic,Ghana as far as Norway,Norwagians male and female teams participating.
“With 20 States ready to fight for honour in Lafia , the opening match saw the Kwara team triumphantly putting their best foots forward winning Nasarawa with 4- 2 margin, the day 2 will see Plateau slug it out with Sokoto, Benue will face FCT, while Ondo will trade tackle with Kebbi later in the day and it will be crowned with team Enugu entertaining Kaduna all the Lafia City Stadium”.
On his part, the director of YUSFON in Nasarawa State, Sulaiman Usman Bako, thanked the governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule for making Nasarawa the first to host the tournament outside Kano which has been the traditional home for Ramat International Championship.
According to Bako, the State is indeed blessed in terms of sport development and management under the present administration and called for it sustainability.
He appreciated the visiting States and their players for making Nasarawa State the choice for the tournament and promising to make the state safe, fruitful and peaceful and memorable.
While thanking YUSFON for the bold decision to hold the tournament outside Kano where it has always been, Bako wished the contingents a memorable stay in Nasarawa
It would be recalled that Ramat Cup International is in Nasarawa for its 40th edition, organised in memory of late General Murtala Ramat Muhamed, who was assinated on 13th of February 1976.
It would be recalled also that the tournament which started in February 1977 has been an annual event except when unforseen cirumstances occured to warrant its postponement.
