Nasarawa State Commissioner Hosts North-Central Coordinator of NPFL U-17 Tournament, Pledges Govt’s Support

Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, on Thursday, received the North-Central Coordinator of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, U-17 Youth League, Barr. Paul Edeh, in his office in Lafia.

Joined by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, the Commissioner thanked the Coordinator for the visit, and assured of Government’s undiluted support to the Organizers for a successful league.

While thanking the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, for choosing Lafia as one of the venues for the League, Jafaru emphasized that the League would open a vista of opportunities for young and promising talents spread across the State and the North-Central Zone, which is one of the dreams of Governor Abdullahi Sule for Nasarawa State.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinator who doubles as Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, said the essence of the visit was to inform the Commissioner and Ministry about preparations toward the commencement of the League.

He added that the visit was also to convey the appreciation of the Board of the NPFL under the leadership of Gbenga Elegbeleye, to the Government and people of Nasarawa State for approving the Lafia City Stadium as one of the five centres for the League and accepting to make resources available for the success of the Tournament.

Edeh stated that the choice of Lafia was necessitated by its distinct proximity to the affected NPFL Clubs, including Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi in Benue State, Plateau United FC of Jos, Kwara United FC of Ilorin, and Niger Tornadoes of Minna.

The Coordinator disclosed that the idea behind the Youth Tournament was to facilitate a hub of talents that can transit from one point to another in line with the requirements of the NFF and world football governing body, FIFA, to build a succession programme for clubs and countries.

He applauded the result-yielding platforms created by the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration through the State’s Ministry of Youth and Sports aimed at nurturing grassroot talents for optimal performance.

Edeh who was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Salisu Galadima (a.k.a. Basira), commended the symbiotic working relationship between the State Government and the Nasarawa State Football Association which he termed as emulatory and capable of producing remarkable outcomes in the nearest future, stressing that both the Ministry and NSFA Board have provided him and his team with warmth and unmatched hospitality since arriving at the State Capital.

Giving the vote of thanks, Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, appreciated the Coordinator and NPFL leadership for adorning him and the Commissioner with souvenir kits of the Competition, promising to wear them during the tournament.

He noted that the NPFL U-17 Youth League was started during his era as Chairman of Nasarawa United FC cum NPFL Club Owners’ Association and that the initiative falls within the mandate of the Ministry.

Danladi explained that Governor Abdullahi Sule places high premium on sports, particularly grassroots football, hence his approval of a Youth Team for the State-owned Club, Nasarawa United FC.

He urged the Organizers of the Competition to feel at home as the State would provide the needed atmosphere for a successful Tournament.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of souvenir kits of the League to the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary by the Zonal Coordinator.

The 2023/24 NPFL U-17 Youth League, North Central Zone, which Kick-started on Thursday, 1st February, with two games involving Plateau United versus Niger Tornadoes, and Lobi Stars versus Kwara United, will climax on Saturday, 3rd February, 2024.