The Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has said that his administration will engage the youths in the state meaningfully through sporting activities.
The governor, who was represented by the state commissioner for youths and sports development, Hon. Ibrahim Gulbin Boka, stated this yesterday at the finals of the state governor's cup football competition, held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida mini stadium.
He said that sports are now no longer leisure but business, ensuring that the state government will continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for sports development in the state, which will in turn bring about youth development.
He added that the state will use sports to curb youth restiveness in the state and to also take them away from all forms of social vices so that they will be beneficial to themselves, their families, and society in general, urging them to embrace the opportunity offered them by the state government to better their lives through sports.
The governor also congratulated the Bida local government for emerging as the champions of the 2023 edition of the state Governor's Cup football competition, tagged Bida 2023.
In his remarks, the state commissioner for land and survey, Barr. Maurice Bello Magaji, underscored the importance of sports generally to the physical and mental well-being of an individual, particularly youths.
He explained that sports, football in particular, was a unifying factor that speaks only one language, saying the administration of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago will continue to make sports a priority due to its vital role in uniting the people.
The state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Hamidu Mu'azu Jantabo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aliyu Abubakar Mila, expressed delight over the success of the tournament.
He assured that the ministry, which is the financier of the competition, will continue to provide the necessary support to both the organisers and the 25 local governments to ensure that the tournament is staged every year.
In a post-match reaction, the Chairman of Munya Local Government, Hon. Aminu Najume, said it was his wish that Munya would win the tournament for the first time in the history of the local government, but he appreciated God for making them reach the finals. Munya qualified from the group stage as one of the best losers.
Bida Local Government defeated the hard-fighting Munya local government team to emerge as the winners of the 2023 edition of the Niger State Governor's Cup football competition, which is also the first edition of the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago administration.
The tournament is the biggest grassroots football competition organised by the Niger State Football Association (NSFA), under the leadership of Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh.
Medals, trophies, and cash rewards were presented to players and teams that were outstanding during the tournament, while various individuals who contributed to the success of the tournament were also recognised.