The deputy governor of Gombe State Manassah Daniel Jatau,Ph.D, has officially kicked off the highly anticipated finals of the Gombe Football Tournament at the Pantami Township Stadium.
The finals witnessed an exciting match between Herwagana Stars and Lander Boys of Bolari which saw Lander Boys winning through penalty kicks after one goal draw.
In his address following the thrilling, closely contested final, the deputy governor congratulated all the participants, emphasising that victory is not solely determined by goals scored, but also by playing with fairness and embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship. He reminded the crowd that every competition produces both winners and losers, highlighting the importance of maintaining respect and integrity throughout.
The deputy governor also called on the organisers to collaborate with local football clubs and explore the possibility of reviving the Gombe United Football Club, stressing that the club should not be allowed to fade away. He pointed out that sports are not only an avenue for earning a living but also contribute significantly to the overall health and well-being of people.
He further commended the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe State, for his generous cash donations to players who demonstrated exceptional performance during the tournament.
Earlier in his address the Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, who also serves as the ALGON Chairman for Gombe State, Barrister A A. Haruna praised the Gombe Football Association for providing the youth with a platform to showcase and develop their talents. He emphasised the importance of supporting initiatives that empower young people and expressed his commitment to continuing to invest in sports development. He also pledged cash incentives to those who stood out in the competition.
The event was witnessed by the Secretary to the state Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Head of Civil Service, Alh. Ahmed Abdullahi Kasimu, the Folo Dadiya, Alh. Abdulkadir Abubakar who was Royal Father of the day, Honourable Commissioners, representative of Police Commissioner, Heads of Federal Agencies and Chairmen of football Associations of Lagos, Kwara, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe and Taraba amongst others.
Jack.A.Tasha
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity,
(Deputy Governor’s office)
