Niger Sports commission partners NLO club owners to strengthen grassroots football.
From Our Correspondent
The Chairman of Niger State Sports Commission (NSSC), Hon. Danjuma Abdul Masu, has pledged to partner with the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) Club Owners Forum in Niger State to advance football development from the grassroots.
Hon. Masu gave the assurance when he received members of the NLO Club Owners Forum on a courtesy visit to his office at the Commission’s headquarters in Minna, on Thursday.
Speaking during the visit, the NSSC Chairman outlined some of the ongoing reforms being undertaken by the Commission under his leadership, noting that the restructuring would benefit all football stakeholders in the state, including grassroots clubs.
He stressed that the Commission is committed to translating its promises into action, assuring that the government will support NLO clubs in creating platforms that will meaningfully engage children and youths.
Hon. Masu further charged club officials to encourage their players to prioritize education while pursuing football careers. According to him, the days when sports were regarded as a pursuit for school drop-outs are gone, as sports have now become a global industry with immense opportunities.
Citing his personal experience, the Commission Chairman described sports as his “second religion,” and likened the nurturing role of the club owners to parental care, urging them to sustain their commitment to developing young talents.
While acknowledging that many athletes often fail to remember those who helped them succeed, he assured the club owners that the Commission would continue to support them, emphasizing that their efforts in shaping young athletes would always be rewarded.
Earlier in his remarks, Mallam Tanko Bawa Mayaki, Chairman of Maitumbi United FC and leader of the NLO Club Owners Forum in the state, congratulated Hon. Masu on his appointment as the pioneer Chairman of the newly established Commission.
He noted that the forum had been impressed with the Chairman’s vision for sports since assuming office and expressed their readiness to collaborate with the Commission in moving football development forward.
Mallam Mayaki reaffirmed the club owners’ commitment to partnering with the Commission to contribute to its success story while seeking its continued support and encouragement.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Baba Sheshi, commended the club owners for projecting Niger State’s image through their active participation in the NLO.
He noted that not all leaders appreciate the intangible benefits of sports, but praised Hon. Masu for steering the Commission in the right direction, stressing that collective support from all stakeholders was needed to achieve the desired goals.
In separate remarks, representatives of Niger Tornadoes Feeder Team, Giant FA, and Harmony FA, Alhaji Usman Garba, Adeshola Ibrahim, and Adamu Mohammed, praised the reforms introduced under the new Commission leadership.
They noted that Niger State had recorded improved performances at recent sports festivals and expressed optimism that the state would soon reclaim its pride of place in Nigerian sports.
The visit was rounded off with the presentation of two footballs to each team as souvenirs by the Commission Chairman.
