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Nasarawa State: Governor Sule Visits NFF, Seeks Collaboration For Football Development

In his relentless pursuit to make Nasarawa State the home of sports in Nigeria, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has voiced his desire to partner with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in the aspect of football, in order to harness the pool of talents that abound in the solid minerals’ State for job creation and development.

The Governor echoed this when he undertook a historic visit to the leadership of the NFF headed by Ibrahim Musa Gusau, at the Federation’s Secretariat in Abuja on Friday.

According to the Governor, “I am here to sincerely congratulate you, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on your emergence as President of the Nigeria Football Federation at the last NFF election held in Benin City, Edo State.

“Your victory is due to your contributions, not only to football, but to sports in this country.

“I thank you for the good job that you have been doing, along with your team, because since you came on board, we have continued to see positive changes happening in the football cycle.

“Equally, too, I want to congratulate you and the NFF leadership for the wonderful performance of our Senior Women’s Football Team, The Super Falcons, at the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, as well as the qualification of the Super Eagles for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. We hope to see wonderful results like these in the future.

“But most importantly, I wish to inform you that we have a lot of talents in Nasarawa State.

“Since I assumed office as Governor, I have been trying my best to bring out those hidden talents, having spent most of my life in the private sector.

“In Nasarawa State, we are doing the best we can to catch those talents young which was what necessitated my visit

“We are seeking your support in this area to ensure that we continue to support our young people to show interest in football because sports is no longer for recreation, but a huge business, and this depends on the way you approach it.

“Coming from the business background, I want to ensure that sports really mean business in Nasarawa State.

“However, for us to get to that level, we have to invest. I am happy to inform you that the investment started with our stadium which has been completed now.

“That Stadium was one of the reasons Nasarawa United got relegated, when it was undergoing renovation. But now, I am on my feet to ensure that this relegation doesn’t proceed beyond one season, because we don’t belong to where we are now; we have to move back to where we belong, which is the top-flight league.”

Sule further appreciated the leadership of the NFF for appointing some illustrious sons and daughter of Nasarawa State into various Boards and Committees of the Nigeria Football Federation, among whom are Hon. Silas Agara(NLO Board Chairman); Barr. Isaac Danladi(Vice Chairman, Legal Committee), and Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo(Vice Chairman, NWFL Board) as well as Abraham Danladi(Member, Referees’ Committee).

In his response, President of the NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, thanked the Governor for the visit.

He said the Governor’s act was an indication that he is sincere and passionate about sports and its development in Nasarawa State and country at large.

“From what you have said, Your Excellency, you have demonstrated that you are always a part of whatever that’s happening in our sports.

“I wish to express our profound gratitude for this visit. I am happy to hear that under your dispensation, to whom much is given, much is expected.

“We have been following up on all you have been doing in Nasarawa State in the area of sports, especially football.

“I am like a son of Nasarawa State when it comes to football, because I love coming to see what is going on there.

“I am glad to also hear that the Lafia City Stadium is now completed and ready for use.

“Why Government continues to invest in sports is to make sure the youth see, feel and use what the Government is doing.

“What we promised Nigerians in our pre-election manifestoes, we are doing everything humanly possible to achieve them and change the narratives, and this is the only way to attract investors.

“We hope Your Excellency will continue to support Nasarawa United so that they can return to where they belong and that requires the full support of everyone in the State and beyond.

“As regards indigenes of Nasarawa State who were appointed into the various Boards and Committees of the NFF, we felt we needed their wealth of experience to help the Federation grow higher.

“Whatever we are going to do, we won’t leave Nasarawa State behind. It’s the first door we will knock before going anywhere, as things stand now.

“This gesture of Your Excellency shows that you are a part of us. We assure you that we will treat you as our leader, brother and partner in progress, and will continue to seek your vast experience to enable us succeed, just like we are ready to support you, especially through the development of grassroots football, alliance with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the State and the local Football Association, to achieve your lofty goals for Nasarawa State and Nigeria.

“On behalf of the entire Board, Management and Staff of the NFF, I want to thank Your Excellency for this historic visit, and we hope this relationship continues.”

Among members in the Governor’s delegation included Hon. Jafaru Ango (Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development), Barr. Isaac Danladi (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development), Mallam Yusuf Mai-Angwa(SSA, Abuja Liaison Office), Hon. James Thomas (Executive Chairman, Karu Local Government Area), Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo(Chairperson, Nasarawa Amazons FC), and Abraham Danladi.

Other members of the NFF delegation comprised Dr. Emmanuel Ekpeme (Deputy Secretary-general), Ruth David (Director, Competitions), Barr. Sylvanus Okey Obi (Director, Legal), Rajan Jaka (Deputy Director, Accounts), and Abubakar Barde (SSA to the NFF President).

It was the first time, in many years, that a sitting State Governor would pay an official visit to the leadership of the NFF at its Secretariat.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a customized National Team Jersey to the Governor by the NFF President in his office.

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Ligue 1

NBA Star Durant Invests In PSG

NBA Star Durant Invests In PSG

Basketball star Kevin Durant has taken a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions announced Friday, without saying how many shares the power forward had acquired

Kevin Durant, who won gold in the Paris 2024 basketball, has taken a stake in the city’s best-known football club Paris Saint-Germain

The club said in a statement that owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) had “signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated US basketball players of all time and a leading investor in sports and entertainment properties.”

It said Durant would acquire the stake “via his media and investment arm Boardroom”.

The club said QSI would cooperate with Boardroom “on a wide-series of commercial, investment, and content initiatives” including merchandise, media content US and international strategy and “potential Basketball/Multi-Sport expansion.”

“With Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of QSI.

Durant, 36, is a power forward with the Phoenix Suns. He won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and has four Olympic gold medals, the last from the 2024 Paris Games.

He said in the PSG statement that PSG and Paris were “a Club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead, and I can’t wait to be a part of the next phase of growth.”

France24.com

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AFC Completes 5th Coach Education Conference

The AFC has concluded its three-day Coach Education Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it’s 5thedition, that covered a range of topics aimed at advancing coach education programmes across the confederation.

Titled ‘Shaping the Future of Coach Education’, AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh’s keynote address focussed on developing ‘Tomorrow’s Coaches’.

The second day led with a presentation on the membership requirements of the UEFA Coaching Convention, covering aspects such as organising national courses and increasing the percentage of female tutors in the MAs’ coach education landscape.

Debate covered the specific needs of MAs, and the importance of reality-based learning, different styles of leadership, and adapting to technological advancements.

A panel featuring Qatar Football Association (QFA)’s Fahad Abdullah Al Zarraa, Aspire Academy’s Maria Ruiz de Ona, AFC Grassroots and Youth Football Development Consultant Robin Russell, and Education 4 Peace Foundation Founder Mark Milton, highlighted the importance of prosocial responsibility in football.

Participants also received insights into tactical trends and standout individual performances from the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025, the Champions League Elite, and the Women’s Champions League.

The final day featured presentations by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director Nasser Larguet, and the Football Association of Ireland Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan, who shared insights into their coach education programmes.

“The AFC Coach Education Conference has not only enabled us to exchange ideas but also hear of success stories which undeniably motivate MAs in improving their existing programmes,” said Faye Chambers, Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia .

“Moreover, a lot of work is being done to empower more women coach educators through exclusive courses, and the impact can clearly be seen, as over the years, more and more women are taking up leadership roles in football, which is a clear indication of the progress being made on the Continent.”

Insideworldfootball.com

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Somalia Set For Historic Beach Soccer Debut

Somalia Set For Historic Beach Soccer Debut

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has launched training programs for beach soccer coaches and referees under its REACH Initiative, aimed at getting the ball rolling in all corners of the country which is now preparing for its first ever beach soccer tournament.

The minister for youth and sport, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, and Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, jointly inaugurated the start of the SFF’s first beach soccer development programme on June 18.

Sixteen coaches and 16 referees from the federation’s beach soccer department are benefiting from the 6-day training courses which are being conducted by Salim Jamal Muwonge (coaching instructor) and Bayige Ivan Kintu (refereeing instructor). Both are from Uganda.

“The launch of such training programs shows a historic moment in our country’s footballing sector particularly it is a significant development in the beach soccer department” minister Abdulkadir Ali, said. The minister pointed out that his government is committed to helping SFF in terms of infrastructure development. “The government is working on the establishment of a beach soccer facility.”

Somali Football Federation president, Ali Abdi Mohamed, said that the revival of futsal competitions after years of absence and the start of women’s football in the country were some of the greatest things his administration achieved after his election as president, two years ago.

“Again we stood to get beach soccer going in the country for the first time and the launch of the training programs today is our first step towards that,” said Abdi Mohamed.

Insideworldfootball.com

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