Gov. Sule gifts Nasarawa Amazons 40 million naira for winning President Federation Cup

Gov. Sule gifts Nasarawa Amazons 40 million naira for winning President Federation Cup

...........rewards NUFC Media Director, Eche Amos for 

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, today, played host to the State's Premier Women's Football Team, Nasarawa Amazons, victors of this year's Women's President Federation's Cup, otherwise known as the FA Cup, in recognition of their breathtaking triumph and exemplary representation of the State on the national arena.

The ceremonial reception, held at the Government House, Lafia, also witnessed a landmark gesture of support for grassroots and elite sports as Governor Sule announced and presented a 2026 edition of a 38-seater coaster bus and a cash donation to Nasarawa Amazons FC and Nasarawa United Football Club respectively.

Congratulating the Amazons for lifting the 2026 Women's FA Cup title after beating Heartland Queens 6-5 via penalty shootout, at the Late Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, 11th July, 2026, after regulation time had ended 1-1 apiece, Governor Sule made a personal cash donation of One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) each to the Most Valuable Player of the Women's FA Cup and Nasarawa Amazons' Hembafan Ayatsea, and her teammate, Udoka Unachukwu, who emerged as the Best Goalkeeper of the competition, and Five Hundred Dollars($500) each to the other thirty-four players of Nasarawa Amazons.

He equally announced the State Government's donation of Twenty-five Million Naira(N25,000,000.00) to the 36 registered players of the team, Fifteen Million Naira(N15,000,000.00) to the Management and Technical Staff of the Amazons, and Five Million Naira(N5,000,000.00) to the Team's Supporters' Club.

Governor Sule, in appreciation of the efforts of the State's Men's Premier League side, Nasarawa United, at the just concluded 2025/26 Football Season, equally donated the sum of Ten Million Naira(N10,000,000.00) to the Solid Miners who finished 6th on the final day of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, and reached the Semi-Final stage of this year's President Federation's Cup, but gallantly bowed out on penalty shootout to Ikorodu City FC of Lagos.

Also benefitting from the State Government's largesse were the Feeder Team of Nasarawa United FC who got Ten Million Naira(N10,000,000.00), and the Nasarawa State Football Association, who also got Ten Million Naira(N10,000,000.00).

In a moment that drew a standing ovation, Governor Sule specially honoured the Head of Public Relations of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development cum Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC, Mr. Eche Amos, and gifted him Five Hundred Dollars($500) for exemplary professionalism, consistency, and patriotic reportage of sporting activities in the State, noting that the accurate and inspiring media coverage by Eche Amos has been critical in amplifying the achievements of athletes and projecting the image of Nasarawa State positively.

Still in his magnanimity, the Governor appreciated the three prominent traditional rulers who joined the State's delegation to Asaba to cheer the Amazons to victory during the FA Cup final with the sum of One Thousand, and Five Hundred Dollars($1,500). The Traditional Rulers included the Chun Mada, HRH. Samson Gamu Yare; Abaga Toni, HRH. Lawrence Ayih 11, and the Oriye Awuma, Alhaji Isah Mohammed Madaki.

According to the Governor, the women's football team had made him and the entire State proud.

"I thank you for making us all proud. You are, indeed, the pride of Nasarawa State.

"The reason I love sports and you is because sport is the only activity you do that doesn't consider differences, yours is to play and win. I hate to hear, read or even see people dwelling on religion, ethnicity - in fact, I can't stand such myopic thinking because it kills my spirit.

"If you look at the composition of Nasarawa Amazons and Nasarawa United, some of you are not from the State, but you are here making us proud, representing the interests of the State, which is what I love seeing.

"While on a brief holiday in the United States of America, I was following every of your game, getting updates from the official clubs' WhatsApp platforms.

"I congratulate the Most Valuable Player of the Competition, Hembafan Ayatsea, and Best Goalkeeper, Udoka Unachukwu. You are both my best friends", Governor Sule remarked.

While applauding the State's Delegation and Stakeholders who travelled to Asaba to cheer the Amazons to victory, the Governor acknowledged the immense support and contributions of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, other top Government functionaries, Nasarawa State Football Association, and Traditional Rulers, to ensure victory was guaranteed.

He approved the immediate allocation of a befitting hostel accommodation to players and officials of Nasarawa Amazons and procurement of official vehicle for the Technical Adviser of the Team, Christopher Danjuma, to ease his transportation challenges.

The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, who led the victorious delegation to the Government House commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his unprecedented investment in sports infrastructure and welfare.

He described the generosity of the Governor to the teams and other beneficiaries as a clear signal that his administration is deliberate about building a sports economy that works for all genders, recalling that he was an Aide to the Governor on Youth and Sports Development in 2019 when the Amazons won the FA Cup at the Ahmedu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, and now achieving the same feat seven years later as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.

Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman, who co-presented the trophy and medals won alongside the Team's Captain, thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule for his sustained supports to the team and its members, disclosing that she was a relieved woman achieving her earnest desire to honour the Governor before the end of his tenure in 2027.

The Chairperson also used the occasion to present the 2025 Governor Douye Diri's Women's Pre-Season Football Tournament trophy won in 2025 to Governor Sule.

Captain of the team, Nwoha Confidence, offered the vote of thanks on behalf of her teammates, as Chairman of the State Football Association, Salisu Usman Galadima, and Chairman of the Amazons Supporters' Club, Adamu Shigafarta, gave goodwill messages.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Muhammad Oyanki, Members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Stephen Iliya Sasetu, along with staff of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, among others attended the reception ceremony.

*Eche Amos(Fellow CBS/ANIPR)*,

Head of Public Relations,

Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

24/07/2027