Siasia seeks stakeholders’ investment in Nasarawa grassroots sports

Nigerian ex-international and former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has called on stakeholders including corporate organisations in Nasarawa State to invest in grass-roots sports development.

The Ex-Super Eagle player, Samson Siasia, made the call at the 8th edition of Mailafiya Unity and Peace competition held in Daddere community of Obi Local Government Area of the state.

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He commended Yakubu Mailafia for investing in grassroots football as a measure to reduce youths’ restlessness.

Siasia further said it is really impressive for a single person to sponsor an annual football competition to discover talents at the grassroots.

“We will support him and the players that were discovered to be exceptional to enable them to pursue their dreams to become professional footballers.

“Other spirited individuals and companies who are doing well in the state should support this kind of efforts to promote the young ones interested in sports,” Siasia noted.

Similarly, Nasarawa State Chairman of the Football Association (FA), Salisu Galadima, commended the organizer for the initiative aimed at engaging the youths to make them unavailable for crimes.

He added that the association was happy that the sponsor had sustained the competition for eight years.

Galadima therefore, promised that the football association under his leadership would partner with the sponsor as well as others interested in promoting football.

Speaking on the 8th edition, sponsor of the competition, Yakubu Mailafia, said the reason for the competition is due to his passion for football and engaging the Youth for National development.

“We started the competition in 2016 with just eight clubs, but the 8th edition has 32 clubs from Nasarawa South Senatorial Districts”.

“We have a lot of plans for players who displayed exceptional talents at the competition to promote their football career,” he added.

Also, Barr. Esson Mairiga (PDP, Lafia North), representing Lafia North at the House of Assembly, said his constituency had presented three clubs at the tournament.

Mairiga explained that he was impressed with the massive investment in the youths through football and promised to support the organiser to achieve the essence of competition.

Meanwhile, Thunder Football Club (FC) of Agyaragu, who were the defending champions, defeated Heartland FC of Shabu 1:0 in the opening game of the 8th edition.

Mamuda Mohammed, Jessey number 8, scored from a first corner kick of the match 10 minutes into the first half of the game to give an advantage to the defending champions.