Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sports development as a strategy for discovering talents, empowering youths and fostering unity across the state.

A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Hamisu Gumel, on Monday said Mr Namadi gave the commitment on Sunday in Hadejia at the grand finale of the inter-ward football competition.

It said that the governor, in his remarks at the event, described the competition as a significant milestone in grassroots sports development and a means to engage and empower young people.

He said that all participants in the tournament were winners because the competition provided an opportunity for youths to showcase their talents and build friendships.

According to him, one of his administration’s earliest decisions was directing the Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture to establish a structured grassroots sports development programme.

According to the statement, Mr Namadi said the policy had already started yielding results with the emergence of the Jigawa Junior Golden Stars, a team of indigenous players now competing in the Nigeria Nationwide League One.

He said the team’s success demonstrated the effectiveness of the state’s grassroots sports initiative and pledged to replicate the model across other sporting disciplines.

“We will continue to strengthen sports development by identifying and nurturing talents from the grassroots while creating opportunities for our young people to realise their full potential,” he said.

Mr Namadi directed the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Hadejia Township Stadium within six months to provide improved sporting facilities for athletes in the area.

He commended the sponsors of the competition and appreciated the ministry, participating teams, match officials and other stakeholders for ensuring its successful organisation.

The tournament featured teams from the 11 wards of Hadejia council area and was sponsored by the accountant-general, Abdullahi Shehu.

The GRA Ward emerged as champions after defeating the Sabon Garu Ward in the final match to lift the trophy.

Mr Shehu said the competition was organised to promote unity among youths and to provide a platform for discovering and nurturing football talents at the grassroots.

(NAN)