Kontagora LG wins first edition of Mai Sudan of Kontagora Cup
From Our Reporter.
Kontagora local government football team has emerged as the champions of the first edition of Kontagora Emirate inter local government football competition, tagged “Mai Sudan Cup,” organized by zone C football association and sponsored by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene.
Kontagora LG team defeated Mariga LG team by 2-0, at the finals decided on Sunday at Adamu Bokani stadium in Kontagora
The Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mu’azu Muhammad Barau ll, whom the competition was in his honour witness the closing ceremony of the tournament, in company of his council members.
Speaking to sports journalists shortly after the finals, the Emir observed that football is one of the things that brings the youths together.
He called on the youths to embrace football not for only its leisure but also as a means of livelihood, adding that they should use it as a tool for unity and peaceful coexistence among them.
The Emir also used the occasion to appreciate Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his developmental strides in the state, praying for more strength and wisdom for the governor.
While commending the Niger NLC Chairman who holds the title of Dan Adalin Kontagora, for honouring him by sponsoring the football competition in his honour, the royal father also called on well to do individuals in the emirate to engage the youths through football.
He also appreciated the Niger State Football Association (NSFA) under the leadership of Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, the Zone C football association and Kontagora LG football council for ensuring that the competition was hitch free and successful.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene revealed that football offered him the opportunity of getting appointment as a civil servant by Kontagora LG for his dedication to the local government football team.
He added that football made him who he is today and that he owe everything he has today to football, hence the reason he was given back to the society through sponsorship of football tournaments across the state.
Comrade Lafene said as a tittle holder of Kontagora Emirate, nothing would be too much for him to contribute to the peace and unity of the emirate, promising to continue to do his best towards youth development.
Speaking on behalf of football stakeholders across the state, the Chairman of Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh appreciated the Emir for his support and fatherly advise towards the success of the tournament, saying the presence of the Emir during the finals has added glamour to the closing ceremony.
Meanwhile, the NLC Chairman and his delegation had earlier paid homage to the Emir at his residence, to appreciate him for his support and accepting the tournament to be organized in his honour, as well as for the conferment of the tittle of Dan Adalin Kontagora on the NLC Chairman.
The six local governments under the Kontagora Emirate participated in the tournament, and the closing ceremony was witness by football stakeholders and the state labour movement family, including the state chairman of TUC, NUT, medical and health workers union among others.
