Kuso renames grassroots football tournament after late Coach Babayo By Abubakar Hassan The Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Management Committee and sponsor of the Ɗan Wadatan Nupe Under-17 Football Tournament, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, has renamed the competition after late Coach Ahmed Nuhu Babayo in recognition of his contributions to grassroots football development. Kuso announced the decision during the final of the 2026 edition of the tournament at the Golden Boys FC field in Minna, where Dakacin Maikunkele FC defeated Bosso Low-Cost FC 5-3 on penalties after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at regulation time. The sponsor, popularly known as Ɗan Wadatan Nupe, said the decision was a mark of respect for the late coach, whose contributions to grassroots football and the development of young players deserved lasting recognition. He recalled that the tournament was conceived through the initiative of the late Coach Ahmed Babayo and Coach Aliyu, noting that many players who had benefited from the competition shared a history with the deceased coach. Kuso, who described the occasion as both joyful and emotional, said the best way to honour the late coach was to continue appreciating his contributions and preserving his legacy. He pledged to sustain the competition annually under its new name, while announcing a donation of N100,000 to the family of the deceased as part of efforts to honour his memory. The Niger Tornadoes management chairman also reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots football, describing competitions such as the tournament as important platforms for discovering young talents and preparing them for professional football. He illustrated the impact of the initiative with the discovery of Suleiman Abubakar of Dakacin Maikunkele FC, whose impressive performance during the competition attracted the attention of Niger Tornadoes Technical Adviser, Coach Kabiru Suleiman Dogo. Abubakar was subsequently selected to join the senior team of Niger Tornadoes as a youth player, with arrangements for his registration and immediate integration into the team expected to follow. Kuso said the development demonstrated that grassroots competitions should not be judged solely by the trophies, certificates or financial rewards presented to participants, but also by their ability to create pathways for talented players to advance to professional football. He encouraged young footballers to remain committed, disciplined and hardworking, stressing that opportunities to progress to higher levels of the game could emerge from local competitions. The tournament, organised by ALI-JIB Grassroots Football Developers in collaboration with the Chanchaga Local Football Coaches Association, attracted 24 teams competing for honours in the Under-17 category. Dakacin Maikunkele FC, winners of the competition, received a cash prize of N100,000, while runners-up Bosso Low-Cost FC went home with N70,000. Trophies, certificates and other prizes were also presented to participating teams and individuals who distinguished themselves during the tournament. The final was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski; Chairman of the Niger State Football Association, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, and members of the association's board. Also present was the Sporting Director of Niger Tornadoes, Mojeed Ibrahim, alongside other stakeholders in the state's football community.

Kuso renames grassroots football tournament after late Coach Babayo





By Abubakar Hassan


The Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Management Committee and sponsor of the Ɗan Wadatan Nupe Under-17 Football Tournament, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, has renamed the competition after late Coach Ahmed Nuhu Babayo in recognition of his contributions to grassroots football development.


Kuso announced the decision during the final of the 2026 edition of the tournament at the Golden Boys FC field in Minna, where Dakacin Maikunkele FC defeated Bosso Low-Cost FC 5-3 on penalties after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at regulation time.


The sponsor, popularly known as Ɗan Wadatan Nupe, said the decision was a mark of respect for the late coach, whose contributions to grassroots football and the development of young players deserved lasting recognition.


He recalled that the tournament was conceived through the initiative of the late Coach Ahmed Babayo and Coach Aliyu, noting that many players who had benefited from the competition shared a history with the deceased coach.


Kuso, who described the occasion as both joyful and emotional, said the best way to honour the late coach was to continue appreciating his contributions and preserving his legacy.


He pledged to sustain the competition annually under its new name, while announcing a donation of N100,000 to the family of the deceased as part of efforts to honour his memory.


The Niger Tornadoes management chairman also reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots football, describing competitions such as the tournament as important platforms for discovering young talents and preparing them for professional football.


He illustrated the impact of the initiative with the discovery of Suleiman Abubakar of Dakacin Maikunkele FC, whose impressive performance during the competition attracted the attention of Niger Tornadoes Technical Adviser, Coach Kabiru Suleiman Dogo.


Abubakar was subsequently selected to join the senior team of Niger Tornadoes as a youth player, with arrangements for his registration and immediate integration into the team expected to follow.


Kuso said the development demonstrated that grassroots competitions should not be judged solely by the trophies, certificates or financial rewards presented to participants, but also by their ability to create pathways for talented players to advance to professional football.


He encouraged young footballers to remain committed, disciplined and hardworking, stressing that opportunities to progress to higher levels of the game could emerge from local competitions.


The tournament, organised by ALI-JIB Grassroots Football Developers in collaboration with the Chanchaga Local Football Coaches Association, attracted 24 teams competing for honours in the Under-17 category.


Dakacin Maikunkele FC, winners of the competition, received a cash prize of N100,000, while runners-up Bosso Low-Cost FC went home with N70,000. Trophies, certificates and other prizes were also presented to participating teams and individuals who distinguished themselves during the tournament.


The final was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski; Chairman of the Niger State Football Association, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, and members of the association's board.


Also present was the Sporting Director of Niger Tornadoes, Mojeed Ibrahim, alongside other stakeholders in the state's football community.

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