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Nasarawa team wins NBS U-13 championship, defeats Akwanga 2-1
From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa Local Government Area ( LGA ) team has emerged champions defeating their opponent Akwanga LGA team 2- 1 at the maiden edition of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service ( NBS) Executive Vice Chairman’s (EVC’s) Under-13 Inter Primary Schools Football Tournament in Nasarawa State.
In both the first and second halves of the event,young stars displayed their level of football skills in the final game played at the FuLafia Football pitch on Friday.
At the beginning of the match, the Two sides found it difficult to gain control of the game, with Nasarawa LGA team controlling the field and having more chances to score through corner throws and free kicks, however,there were no goals in the first half.
The resumption of the second half saw the best player of the tournament, Jordan Abila, wearing Jersey number 10 scored the first goal for Akwanga team via a breath taking strike from outside the 18- yard box in the 50th minute.
However, in the 58th minute, China Saminu, wearing jersey number 8, dribbled and drove the ball into the net to give the Nasarawa team an instant equaliser thus, raising the tempo of the game.
The Nasarawa squad defeated the Akwanga team 2-1 in the 60th minute when Mubarak Muhammad, wearing jersey number 7, scored the second goal to hand over his team the trophy.
In a post match reaction,the Coach of Nasarawa team, Abdullahi Ahmed expressed joy over the victory, saying he was optimistic that the young lads will come out victorious.
He, therefore appreciated the organisers of the tournament for the initiative and prayed for its sustenance.
On his part , the coach of Akwanga team, Haruna Maitala said although his team lost out at the final game but would emerge winners in subsequent competitions.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, the EVC of NBS, Salihu Awwalu expressed delight in the level of enthusiasm and skills displayed by participating teams at the tournament.
He said” The aim of this is the desire to set a baseline for young players to display their talents to enable those who are interested in developing sports to be able to know where to go and find the talents they need.
” This tournament has revealed that there are so many talented young players U-13 in Nasarawa State and it means that there is something the sports authority and administrators can usee to build on in order to get formidable players and teams out of the state.
” It is also part of the corporate social responsibilities of NBS to encourage the development of football.”
He, therefore assured that the tournament would be a yearly event aimed at developing grassroots sports.
Also speaking, the General Manager of NBS, Mr Aloko Flashman, congratulated the winners of the tournament and all the teams for availing themselves to participate in the competition, saying all of them were winners.
He, urged parents to allow their wards to combine both sports and academics for their own good.
Highlights of the final game include presentation of individual awards, medals, trophies and cash prices.
While China Saminu of Nasarawa team was crowned the top scorer award with 3 goals in the tournament, Jordan Abila of Akwanga emerged best player even as Jibrin Rabiu received the best goal keeper’s award of the tournament.
