Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has emerged winner of the under 13 Football championship organised by Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation in the state.
The Wamba boys defeated Kokona local government by a lone goal to win the championship at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State.
While Lafia local government battled Keffi local government to take third position with one goal win.
Speaking at the presentation of trophies, Gov Abdullahi Sule, said he has no doubt that the competition would produce formidable team made of Nasarawa state indigenes in the near future.
“We all know that football is a big business the world over, and this is the way to start. Indeed we have talents, raw talents that are coming up.
“I want to pledge here that from now henceforth I will ensure we have this competition on a yearly basis in Nasarawa state,” he said.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Youths and Sports to work directly with the organisers of the competition to select five best players from each of the 13 LGA to form Nasarawa under 13 football team.
Gov Sule said the state government would create enabling environment and support the proposed Nasarawa Football Academy by Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation to grow talents.
“Government will support this academy and we will support it individually, i congratulate the organisers as well as those who won, and those who didn’t win, this is the way to go to discover talents,” he said.
Mr Aliyu Bello, Chief Executive Officer, Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation, said the competition which aimed at discovering of raw talents in order to develop them would be an annual event.
He said the foundation would partner state government to establish academy and reach out to world best football clubs to come and invest in Nasarawa state.
Bello who is also the All Progressives Congress Secretary, Nasarawa state, announced plan by the foundation to pay National Examination Council (NECO) fee for 200 less privileged students this year.
“With the support of government and your support this is going to be an annual event, I sincerely thank the organisers and partners of this competition for a job well done,” he said.