Future International FC of Wamba are champions of 2024 maiden football competition organized for clubs in Nasarawa North Senatorial District of Nasarawa State.
The match was played at the Akwanga Central Pilot Primary School playground on Sunday afternoon, March 3, where Future International FC slugged it out with Akwanga Selected FC.
The match which ended in a barren draw, saw Future International FC winning Akwanga Selected FC 5-4 on penalties.
Speaking at the occasion, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, disclosed that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule is working towards transforming the Sports Academy in Akwanga Local Government Area of the State in fulfillment of his blueprint for sports and youth development in the state
The Commissioner further disclosed that it has always been the desire of Governor Abdullahi Sule to see to the development and advancement of our youth as well as improvement of our sporting facilities.
“The Governor’s poise is evident on his huge investment both in the youth and sports infrastructure in the State as can be seen at the refurbished Lafia City Stadium and other facilities.
“About three months ago, Governor Abdullahi Sule approved the remodelling of the Sports Academy, Akwanga, to accommodate various sporting activities and to meet international standard.
“All we are waiting for now is the provision of enough land by the Akwanga Local Government Area administration to relocate the Academy from its present location to a more befitting one.
“Once that is done, the world will further come to agree with the Governor that he is truly sports-loving.”
Jafaru applauded Chairman of the Nationwide League One and former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Hon. Silas Agara, for initiating the grassroots football competition which would metamorphosed into an Amateur Football Club.
He pledged Government’s support to ensure the outfit succeeds in the league to help support the realisation of the football dreams of young and budding talents in the State.
Earlier, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said he was delighted to be part of the history making tournament which transformed into the formation of a third tier football club.
“I always feel happy to see myself in the midst of our young, talented footballers at the grassroots.
“As you know, you rarely see the President of the NFF in events like this. But I feel it’s part of my responsibilities and it’s only when we do this that we will encourage the young ones and other well-meaning Nigerians, especially football stakeholders, to see how to support these talents.
“I must say this is a laudable initiative. You can see that everyone is happy here. A team from Wamba defeated Akwanga Selected in the final here in Akwanga which is their home ground – this is what we are talking about.”
The NFF supremo opined that he would liaise with the Governor of Nasarawa State and Akwanga Local Government Area authority to collaborate in the construction of a mini football stadium in Akwanga to lessen the burden on the Lafia City Stadium.
He commended the Chairman of the NLO, and former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Agara, for initiating the competition and birthing a football Club in his locality.
“It was not by mistake that I decided to appoint Hon. Silas Agara as Chairman of the NLO. He is the right choice for the job.
“By the grace of God, in the next couple of days, you would see the great job he is doing with the Nationwide League One because he and his Board will unveil some key sponsors of the league to help transform it to where it should be, going forward.”
Chairman of the NLO and proponent of the Nasarawa North Football Competition, Hon. Silas Agara, explained the rationale behind organizing the tournament.
“Like you know, Akwanga is the home of football in Nasarawa State, and we have had lots of clubs playing in Akwanga, but with time, a most of them started fading away.
“We need to revive that spirit to bring Akwanga back to the mainstream of football.
“So, I am happy to have the NFF President physically present to witness the final.
“I must register our appreciation to the NFF President because this is his first official engagement after the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cote d’Ivoire.
“This demonstrates his passion and interest to develop football at the grassroots level.
“We will continue to do our part to support his administration and NFF to ensure that we revive grassroots football in Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon.”
He noted that the essence of the competition was to establish a new Amateur Football Club, crafted from the acronym, WAN AGARA, meaning, Wamba, Akwanga, and Nasarawa Eggon, with his name completing the composition.
Already, he said the team has been registered to participate in the NLO, adding that selected players from the twenty participating teams in the tournament have been shortlisted to get into closed camping as preparations are on to procure their licences.
Krestnews reports that for emerging champions, Future International FC went home with a cash prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira and a giant trophy from the organizer, while the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Salisu Galadima (Basira), supported with additional sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.
Runners-up, Akwanga Selected FC, received Three Hundred Thousand Naira, with the State FA Chairman also supporting with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira.
Member representing Akwanga South at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Chumbaya, equally supported the winners and runners-up with the cash sum of Thirty Thousand and Twenty Thousand Naira, respectively.
Leopard Academy of Akwanga which won the 3rd Place Play-off, received cash sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira, with Salisu Galadima improving it with an additional Fifty Thousand Naira.
Future International’s Goalkeeper, Theophilus Wahe, emerged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Salim Bashir of Future International won the golden boot award with eleven goals.
Sunusi Agidi of Black Stars FC of Akwanga won the Best Goal keeper Gong, while the Best Coach award went to Suleiman Sani of Sporting Boys FC and Bees’ FC of Nasarawa Eggon won the Fair Play award.
Krestnews further reports that the competition was brought to a close with the unveiling of the official logo of the WAN AGARA Football Club by the NFF President.