By Abubakar Hassan and George Daniya
Flourish Football Academy of Tunga has emerged as the champions of the 2023/2024 edition of Niger State's prestigious pre-season soccer tournament.
Flourish FA whips Harmony FA of Bosso by three unreplied goals to emerge champions, in the final match decided at the Maikunkele town football field in Bosso local government area of the state, on Tuesday.
A brace of one goal in each half by Israel James and a goal from Yusuf Aliyu Manuga handed over the victory to Flourish FA at the end of regulation time.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Mallam Nuhu Garba Ingaski who represented the Commissioner of Sports, Hon. Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka at the finals commended the donor and sponsor of the tournament, Engr. Ibrahim Dada Maikunkele for engaging youths through sports.
He observed that people like Engr. Ibrahim Dada who is the Chairman of the state darling team, Niger Tornadoes needs to be commended and appreciated for complementing government efforts in engaging the youths meaningfully, thereby reducing the act of youth restiveness in the state.
Mallam Nuhu Ingaski added that the government alone cannot do it and called on well-to-do individuals and corporate organizations to emulate Engr. Dada gives back to society and engages the youths through meaningful ventures.
The donor and sponsor of the tournament, Engr. Ibrahim Dada Maikunkele said the tournament is one of his ways to give back to the state what the state had given him by engaging the youths through the tournament.
He revealed that whatever recognition or wealth he had gotten today he got it from the state, and as such he would not take it anywhere but to spend it in the state.
Engr. Ibrahim Dada who is a structural engineer and a FIFA license player intermediary also promised that so long as he lives and has the means he will continue to sponsor the tournament.
He also disclosed that the essence of the tournament is to engage the youths meaningfully and to fish out hidden talents, adding that a couple of young players were identified during the tournament with some of them already engaged elsewhere.
Engr. Dada Maikunkele also appreciated God for the successful completion of the tournament without any hitch and commended the organizers under the leadership of Comrade Adamu Sani Osmond for their efforts towards its success, saying the tournament is getting better and gaining more recognition every year.
The Chairman of Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh in his remarks appreciated Engr. Dada for keeping the flame of the tournament burning and improving on it each year, thereby contributing to the development of the round leather game in the state.
He disclosed that the tournament did not have only the blessings of the state FA but also that of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).
Highlights of the event were the presentation of Medals, trophies, and cash rewards to players and teams that were outstanding during the tournament, while various individuals who contributed to the success of the tournament were also recognized with varieties of awards.
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