All is now set for 2025 annual speaker’s football cup competition among the 27 state constituencies in Niger state with the draw slated for the April 22 at the conference hall of the state house of assembly.
According to the time table for the competition released by the state football association, organisers of the game, the opening ceremony is expected to take place on the 9th of May at the Adamu Bukani stadium in Kontagora.
A statement by the chairman of the state football association and board member Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh said this year’s competition will be co-hosted by Mariga and Kontagora local government areas.
He pointed out that a football team each of the 27 state constituencies will compete for the speaker’s cup which is an annual football championship meant to encourage the development of the game of football at the grassroots.
The FA Chairman further stated that all the state assembly members, led by the speaker, Rt Hon Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkindaji, all the 25 local government FA Chairmen including other top government functionaries will attend the draw for the competition at the state assembly.
He disclosed that the competition which was earlier scheduled to place in March this year was postponed due to the just concluded Ramadan fast among the Muslims.
Ahmed Yusuf disclosed that the annual soccer competition has not only brought unity among the constituents in the state but has continued to encourage the development of the game at the grassroots.
He said a new trophy has been donated by the speaker of the state house of assembly, stressing that “this year’s competition will witness a display of raw talents from the grassroots.”