By Our Correspondent
Krestnews.com reports that Thunder Football Club ( FC) of Agyaragu has won the 8th edition of the MaiLafia Peace and Unity cup tournament for the season time running.
The Football Club which is the defending champions defeated one time winner of the competition, Obi United FC by a lone to clinch the trophy.
The match which was watched by capacity crowd, made up largely by fans of the two clubs as well as football enthusiasts from in and around, began on Thursday at Daddere Primary School football field in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Both teams started on a good note with Obi United FC securing more chances to score in the first half of the game but their search for could not yield the desired result.
On resumption of the second half of the game Thunder FC, a team who studied the Obi team seized the opportunity and took charge of the game by playing well coordinated football, drawing cheers from the capacity crowd that witnessed the match.
Though last year, Thunder FC which is the reigning champions had triumphed in last year’s edition with much ease, dominating the field of play with skills and strategy, this year’s proved much tough as Obi United FC put up fiery attacks and brilliant defense.
It was clear that the match was going to be a grueling test for the Thunder FC’s resilience.
As the game gradually matured into play, the defending Champions showed class and quickly assered control at the resumption of the second half when Augustine Joshua Jersey number 14 scored the winning goal sending soccer enthusiasts into wild jubilation.
When the final whistle blew, the crowd erupted into joyful celebration as Thunder FC successfully defended their title with the 1-0 victory.
Speaking in an interview with Journalists, the organiser of the tournament, ACP Yakubu Agabi stated that the competition has come to stay, assuring that he would continue to do his best in order to harness young talents as well as unite the people across the state through sports.
Agabi said that the State Government alone cannot do all, therefore requires the support of spirited individuals and corporate organisation to help develop skills among the youths for the progress of the state.
He revealed that preparation has already started for the next year’s edition of the tournament.
Also speaking , the State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Hon Jaafar Ango represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Alhassan Adamu said the state will continue to give support to grassroots sports , saying that the competition is an avenue to harness young talents and develop them.
“So far, the highest goal scorer at the NPFL , Anas Yusuf was one of the products of this competition and we hope that more of these would be harvested here,” he said.
He promised to support the organiser of the tournament and other individuals who may want to organise such events that will help in harvesting young talents from the grassroots.
The Chairman, Football Association ( FA) in Nasarawa State , Alhaji Salisu Galadima appreciated the initiator of the tournament, describing it as one of the best organised competitions in the State.
He also thanked the people in the area for the support given to the competition since its establishment and called for its sustenance.
Also speaking, the Sangarin Daddere, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’id said the people in the area were grateful to the sponsor of the competition who, he said, has been doing his best for the past eight years to sustain the competition.
He said the competition has not just brought the youths together but has also brought progress to the community, Obi LGA and the State at large.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) Aloko Flashman said ACP Yakubu Agabi Mailafia has already written his name in gold as far as grassroots football development is concern in Nigeria.
He appeal to members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to continue unveiling football stars from the grassroot through their reportage.
ACP Agabi was given an award of humanitarian service based on his development of the youths in the state by the Students Union Government ( SUG) , Ahmadu Bello University,( ABU) ,Zaria under the leadership of Comrade Simon Ajeh.
Krestnews sports reports that the 1st position ( Thunder FC) was given the sum of 1 million naira, 2nd place ( Obi United FC)went home with N700,000 while the 3rd, Giant Killers FC of Agyaragu and 4th Stallion FC positions received N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, the Best Goal Keeper Award was given to Obi United FC goal keeper, Agwai Ahmed, highest goal scorer award with 6 goals in the tournament went to Nazifi Inusa of Giant Killers of Agyaragu town.(www.krestnews.com).