15th edition of Niger Pre-Season Soccer tournament kicks off Wednesday

15th edition of Niger Pre-Season Soccer tournament kicks off Wednesday

By Abubakar Hassan

The 15th edition of the Prestigious Niger State Pre-Season Soccer tournament have been scheduled to kick start on Wednesday, January 15, 2024, at the Maikunkele Township Field.

The tournament which is organized annually by the Nationwide League One Clubs committee, Niger State, and sponsored by the state coordinator of Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), Engr . Ibrahim Dada Maikunkele is billed to feature 24 teams this year, as against the 20 in previous years.

Speaking at the draws of the tournament conducted at U.K Bello Art Theater complex in Minna, on Sunday, the sponsor of the tournament, Engr. Ibrahim Dada said he was not competing with anyonen nor have any political ambition by sponsoring football activities in the state, rather trying to give back to the society what the society gave to him.

He said whatever he has become and the amount of wealth he has today, he got it from the society, hence the rationale behind his financing football activities in the state.

"I have said this several times that I am not competing with anyone. I am just trying to utilize the opportunity Allah has given to me to serve humanity," he declared.

Engr. Dada who is also the Chairman of the state darling team, Niger Tornadoes used the opportunity to solicit for the support and prayers of all football stakeholders in the state for Niger Tornadoes to succeed, adding that the club does not belong to him alone but to all Nigerlites.

He also commended the organizers for nurturing the championship to its present status and the various initiatives they have been bringing into the tournament to improve its glamour every year.

While appreciating the cordial relationship between the organizers of the tournament and the state football association leadership, Engr. Ibrahim Dada also reaffirmed his commitment to continue to sponsor the tournament, saying the tournament has come to stay as long as he is alive.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the organizing committee, Comrade Adamu Sani Osmond observed that it was a 15 years journey of with passion and dedication to football development in the state.

While showering praises on the donor and sponsor of the tournament, he said it was a smooth relationship between the organizers and the sponsor.

Comrade Sani Osmond disclosed that in each edition of the tournament they bring something new, and that in the 15th edition they have increased the participating teams and that they have invited captains of the traditional teams that started the tournament to conduct the draws.

He also appreciated the state football association whom he said have been playing both fatherly and motherly role, as well as other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the tournament over the years.

The Coordinator of the tournament, Mallam Tanko Bawa Mayaki said they have been doing their best over the years to be flexible and transparent with new ideas that will aid the tournament success annually.

He added that the organizing committee has agreed in one of its recent meeting that from next edition, the winner of the state Super League and any grassroot team that registered and perform better in the state Federation cup would be given automatic slot for the tournament.

The Coordinator also said no state in Nigeria is doing what Niger state is doing to develop the round leather game, acknowledging the support of the state FA and other stakeholders towards the successes recorded in the tournament over the years.

Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the state FA, Comrade Barau Awaisu Kuta said the state FA is in full support of the tournament, and appreciated Engr. Ibrahim Dada for what he has been doing for the development of football in the state.

While urging the participating teams to make discipline their watchwords, he appreciated the dynamism of the organizers on the issue of discipline and punishing erring participants.

The First Vice chairman of the Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Alhaji Yabagi Baba officiated the draws processes, and announced that the 24 teams will be grouped into six, with two teams to qualify to round of 16 from each group, whole four best loosers will join them to make up the round of 16 stage.

Tunga Pillars Fc and Lapai Football Academy were billed for the opening game on Wednesday, by 1pm.