Shongom LGA Organizes Football Tourney for Peace, Talent

GOMBE, Nigeria (Made In Africa Sport) – The Chairman of Shongom Local Government of Gombe State, Mr. Yohanna Nahari, has organized a football tournament for youths in the local government area.

The tournament, which covers 10 wards of the LGA, aims to resolve communal clashes in the area and also to tap into the sporting potential of youths in the area.

Shongom LGA, like many other communities in Nigeria, has been a victim of communal clashes and ethnic hostilities.

The youth, in particular, are at risk of being lured into these conflicts, leading to the loss of lives and properties. However, through the football tournament, Nahari hopes to channel the energies of the youth towards constructive competition and teamwork.

The tournament is also a platform for developing football talent in Shongom LGA. The area boasts of young and enthusiastic football players, who can benefit from such events to showcase their skills and get discovered by talent scouts.

With the support of the government and private organizations, these talents can be nurtured and developed to compete at local and national levels.

A total of 20 Clubs will battle it out for the coveted Overall Best Trophy (OBT) with two clubs drawn from each of the 10 wards namely; Boh, Kulishin, Lapan, Lalaipido, Gwandum, Gundali, Burak, Bangunji, Kushi and Filiya of the LGA.

Speaking during the kick-off of the tournament, Mr. Nahari said, “I want us to concentrate on things that unite us rather than things that divide us and football is one big international game that has helped the world to come together as one.”

”Already, the youths in my LGA are the best any leader can pray for. They are cerebral, energetic, hardworking, and super talented they are more precious than gold.”

”Investing in them is my core mission because it will yield great dividends and do a great world of good for themselves, their families, the local government and the state at large,” Mr. Nahari stated.

Commenting on vast opportunities and wealth creation in sports, the Chairman said, “Many nations of the world are building fortunes and making billions from football hence if we can take a cue from them we will create wealth for our communities and break from the shackles of over-dependence on federal allocations generated through crude oil sales”.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders in the area, the District Head of Shongom, Dahiru Alfayo Yusuf, commended the chairman and his team for organizing the tournament to unite the youths and harness their talents in football.

He also stated that the tournament is both historic and epoch-making as no chairman or sole administrator has ever organized such in over two decades of the existence of the LGA.

Some of the delighted who spoke to journalist expressed joy for the opportunity to live their footballing dreams, “we have been yearning for these kinds of innovative ideas for us to maximize our skills and build our communities. We are energetic, driven, fast, and talented and we couldn’t be more excited and thankful to Mr. Nahari for this wonderful thinking and execution”.