Bago/Sani 313 Prosperity/Unity Cup football competition draws conducted

Bago/Sani 313 Prosperity/Unity Cup football competition draws conducted

By Abubakar Hassan

The Niger State Sports Commission (NSSC), in collaboration with the State Soccer Vanguard, has conducted the draws for the maiden edition of the Bago/Sani 313 Prosperity/Unity Cup football competition.

The tournament, an inter-local government football competition, will feature teams from all nine local government areas in the Niger East Senatorial District, namely Bosso, Chanchaga, Gurara, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Shiroro, Suleja, and Tafa.

Speaking during the draws on Tuesday, the General Coordinator of the tournament and Vice Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna, Alhaji Usman Garba, stated that the event is not politically motivated, despite being sponsored by a politician.

He noted that while football and politics often intersect, the organizers are committed to keeping politics out of the game due to its sensitive nature. He added that the tournament is organized to appreciate the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Muhammad Sani 313, for constructing a community sports centre in Tunga, Chanchaga Local Government Area.

The General Coordinator explained that the nine teams will be divided into two groups, with one group having five teams, adding that the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-final stage.

He further disclosed that Suleja or Minna is being considered as the host city for the tournament, pending approval from the sponsor, while the final match will take place at the newly constructed community sports centre, which will be commissioned during the tournament’s finale.

Alhaji Usman added that all participating teams will be provided with customized jerseys and footballs, noting that the organizers, with support from the sponsor, are also proposing a logistics subsidy for all teams.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Director of Grassroots Sports Development at the Niger State Sports Commission, Comrade Ahmed Yakubu Gwam, said the Commission deemed it necessary to show appreciation to the Distinguished Senator while taking over the community sports centre, hence the decision to organize the tournament.

He revealed that similar competitions will be organized in the Niger South and Niger North Senatorial Districts, to be tagged Bago/Ndalikali Prosperity/Unity Cup for Niger South and Bago/Lolo Prosperity/Unity Cup for Niger North.

Comrade Ahmed Gwam also disclosed that the Bago/Sani 313 Cup is expected to kick off before the end of the month, and appealed to the local government sports secretaries present at the draws to return to their respective areas and put necessary machinery in place to ensure a hitch-free tournament.

In his remarks, a member of the Executive Board of the Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Barau Awaisu Kuta, who conducted the draws, said the tournament is aimed at fostering unity and should not be treated as a do-or-die affair. He urged teams to adhere strictly to the rules of the competition and the laws of the game.

He emphasized the importance of discipline and players’ eligibility, noting that the State FA takes these issues very seriously. He advised teams to focus on younger players and provide them with opportunities to showcase their talents, rather than fielding players who have featured in the NLO, NNL, or the elite league.

The board member added that although the tournament may have elements of political motivation due to its sponsorship, there should be no political interference in the competition, in order to preserve the integrity of the game and promote fair play.

Other stakeholders and representatives of participating teams also made useful contributions on ways to ensure a smooth and hitch-free tournament.

Meanwhile, the draw placed Suleja, Munya, Gurara, Shiroro, and Chanchaga Local Government Areas in Group A, while Group B comprises Rafi, Bosso, Paikoro, and Tafa Local Government Areas.

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