Brazilian Football experts are on their way to Kebbi state to resuscitate its Soccer Academy aimed at developing talents and promoting the game of football in the state.
Governor Nasir Idris gave the directive to revive the Kebbi Football Academy under the tutelage of professionals from Brazil.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Nura Bala Fingila, made this known at the final of the ‘Kauran Gwandu Football Tournament Competition’, in Birnin Kebbi, Sunday evening.
“The Brazilians will come to the state to scout for talents and develop the Kebbi United Football Club”,
“Furthermore, Governor Idris has directed the Sports Ministry to go round and ascertain football pitches in need of upgrade and renovation”,
“Gratitude goes to the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi for the initiative to organise the tournament for youths”,
“Football today transcends mere game, it encompasses unity, social cohesion, community relations, and economic benefits”,
“The incumbent administration will sustain support to sporting activities to develop the mental and physical ability of youths”, Fingila said.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, initiator of the tournament, spoke of plans to raise a football team from the teams that participated in the competition.
“My target objective is to fashion out a team from the players of the six clubs who competed in the tournament, to go round within and outside the state to play games to bring soccer to the fore”,
“The essence of participation in the concluded competition is not winning but to forge brotherhood among youths, whoever participated is a winner”, Yakubu said.
The Guest of Honour, the Rector, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Usman Tunga, tasked the organisers to build a solid football team, drawing talents from the competitors, capable of facing any team at state and national levels.
“The competition is beneficial in manifold; it brings our children together to foster more understanding for community and social cohesion, it affords an opportunity to scout for talents, the game also boost the wellbeing of youths for longevity”, Tunga remarked.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Haruna Sani, made it clear that the football competition was purely for social interaction and unity, devoid of political undertones.
In the final game, Yahaya Member FC defeated Ibrahim Sakaba United 2-1, to lift the trophy.
Material and cash gifts were presented to the runners-up, as well as other teams that participated in the tournament.