Niger State Pre-season tournament has blessings of NLO board - Tournament Coordinator


By Abubakar Hassan

The Coordinator of Niger State Nationwide League One Clubs Pre-season soccer tournament, Tanko Bawa Mayaki has said that the tournament had the blessings of the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) board.

Baea Mayaki who is equally a board member NLO, representing the North Central Zone, stated this while speaking to Sports' Journalists at the opening ceremony of the Eight Edition of Niger State NLO clubs' Pre-season soccer tournament in Minna, tagged 'Engr. Ibrahim Dada Pre-season Tournament."

He disclosed the tournament was adopted by the NLO board because it involves teams representing Niger State in the Nigeria Nationwide League, recalling that in the last two editions the Chairman of NLO, Mohammed Alkali and some members of the board were in Minna to witness draws and the finals of the tournament, adding that they will also be present at this year's finals.

Tanko Mayaki explained that the Pre-season tournament was organized annually for clubs representing the state in the Nationwide League One to prepare them ahead of the League, but that this year's edition was a little modified to accommodate some other clubs outside the Nationwide.

"You know, NLO is all about grassroot football development, that is why we feel we should expand the scope of the tournament and include teams that are not in NLO category but they have the potential and capacity to compete with the NLO teams," the tournament coordinator explained.

He disclosed that there were quite a number of player agents that have indicated interest to come and scout for players as the tournament progresses, saying some players who were lucky might be opportune to have a job through the championship.

He commended both teams that played in the opening game of the tournament for exhibiting high sense of discipline and spirit of sportsmanship, advising other participating teams to emulate them.

Tanko Mayaki congratulated the organizers of the tournament for the success of the tournament over the years and the commencement of the Eight Edition which is coming after the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupt football calendar across the globe..

He also appreciated the State FA for supporting the tournament to become one of the best Pre-season soccer tournament the whole of the North Central Zone, and equally appreciated the donor and sponsor of the tournament, Engr. Ibrahim Dada for his untiring support to the development of the round leather game in the state and beyond, particularly for being the sole sponsor of the Prestigious Pre-season tournament which is in its Eight Edition.

Maikunkele Select piped Bosso Selected by a lone goal to take home the three maximum point in the opening game. A total of 20 teams from various part of the state were participating in this year's edition of the championship, and were grouped into four groups with two teams to qualify for the quarter finals from each group.

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