By Our Correspondent
Nasarawa Local Government Area ( LGA ) team has emerged champions of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service Under 13 football competition,defeating their opponent Akwanga LGA team 2- 1.
The competition was the maiden edition of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service ( NBS) Executive Vice Chairman’s (EVC’s) Under-13 Inter Primary Schools Football Tournament.
The match played at the Federal University Lafia sports arena Friday 31, saw the young stars displayed artistry and high skills during the first and second halves of the game.
At the commencement of the match, the Two teams found it difficult to gain control of the game, with Nasarawa LGA team controlling the field and having more chances to score through corner throws and free kicks but such could not produce the desire goal.
On resumption of the second half, the best player of the tournament, Jordan Abila, wearing Jersey number 10 scored the first goal for Akwanga team via a breathtaking strike from outside the 18- yard box in the 50th minute.
However, in the 58th minute, China Saminu, wearing jersey number 8, dribbled and drove the ball into the net to give the Nasarawa team an instant equaliser thus, raising the tempo of the game.
The Nasarawa squad took the lead 60 minutes into the second half through Mubarak Muhammad, wearing jersey number 7, which became the decider at the end of regulation time; thus the game ended 2-i in favour Nasarawa.
Reacting.the Coach of Nasarawa team, Abdullahi Ahmed expressed joy over the victory, saying he was optimistic that the young lads will come out victorious.
He, therefore appreciated the organisers of the tournament for the initiative and prayed for its sustenance.
The coach of Akwanga team, Haruna Maitala said although his team lost out at the final game but would emerge winners in subsequent competitions.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, the EVC of NBS, Salihu Auwwalu expressed delight at the level of enthusiasm and skills displayed by participating teams during the tournament.
He said” The football competition is born of his desire to set a baseline for young players to explore their potentials so that those who are interested in developing their skills further could leverage on opportunity the competition could avail.
” This tournament has revealed that there are so many talented young players U-13 in Nasarawa State and it means that there is something the sports authority and administrators can usee to build on in order to get formidable players and teams out of the state.
” It is also part of the corporate social responsibilities of NBS to encourage the development of football.”
He, therefore assured that the tournament would be a yearly event aimed at developing grassroots sports.
Also speaking, the General Manager of NBS, Mr Aloko Flashman, congratulated the winners of the tournament and all the teams for availing themselves to participate in the competition, saying all of them were winners.
He, urged parents to allow their wards to combine both sports and academics for their own good.
Highlights of the final game include presentation of individual awards, medals, trophies and cash prices.
While China Saminu of Nasarawa team was crowned the with the top scorer award having 3 goals in the tournament, Jordan Abila of Akwanga emerged best player even as Jibrin Rabiu received the best goal keepers award of the tournament.
Earlier, Chairman Local organizing Committee who doubles as the state SWAN Chairman, Smah George disclosed that the idea was to give hope and opportunity for future Nigerian Stars given the quantum of talents abound in Nasarawa State and as well clear the misunderstanding that sports and education cannot go together.
Smah George said NBS as a Media organization is proud to champion football development at the grassroots admitting that funding remains key to sports development in Nigeria.