By Edwin Philip
Nasarawa State which has now become the home of many sport fiestas in Nigeria has gotten the commendation of Youth Sport Federation of Nigeria ( YUSFON) for being spectacular in peace and hospitality as far as sport is concern in Nigeria.
The commendation was made the National Technical Director of YUSFON, Mr Abdulgafa Agbola while speaking to journalist during the opening match of the week long Ramat International championship featuring under 16 football teams across Nigeria, making bold statements in the main bowl of the Lafia City Stadium.
“Nasarawa State is a wonderful place, very very wonderful in terms of hospitality, I have been here since Wednesday and infact I have been enjoying my stay, I was even discussing with a colleague saying that even if we finished the league final on Saturday I might extend my stay for another two days, because of the serene and comfortable environment I found myself in Nasarawa State” he said.
Commenting of display of talent the lads, Agbola said he is impressed the opening game of the championship which featured the host team Nasarawa and their distant North Central counterpart team Kwara, as watching them play goes along way to justify the reason for the establishment of YUSFON about 60 years ago.
” YUSFON will be cloaking 60 this year, when you calculate 1965 to present day 60 years, so that is what we have been doing year in year out, you can see some talent, Kwara football academy is an academy of its own, and I understand the Nasarawa boys was assembled purposely for this tournament, am impressed so far with what they are playing” he added.
Also peaking, the director of YUSFON in Nasarawa State, Sulaiman Usman Bako, thanked the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule for making Nasarawa the first to host the tournament outside Kano which has been the traditional home for Ramat International Championship, said the State is indeed blessed in terms of sport development and management under the present administration and called for it sustenance.
He appreciated the visiting States and their players for making it to Lafia the Nasarawa State capital and promised them a fruitful and peaceful stay that will be memorable, he however thanked YUSFON for it bold decision to hold the tournament outside Kano where it has always been.
The Ramat Cup International is in it 40th edition, it is organised in memory of late Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, who was assassinated on 13th of February 1976, the tournament which started in February 1977 has been an annual event except when unforseen circumstances occurs that it is postponed.
The tournament in the past years had featured international teams from countries such as Benin Republic,Ghana as far as Norway, Norwagians male and female teams participating.
With 20 States ready to fight for honour in Lafia , the opening match saw the Kwara team triumphantly putting their best foots forward winning Nasarawa with 4- 2 margin, the day 2 will see Plateau slug it out Sokoto, Benue will face FCT, while Ondo will trade tackle with Kebbi later in the day and it will be crowned with team Enugu entertaining Kaduna all the Lafia City Stadium.