BEVERLY HILLS, November 06, (THEWILL) – Two participating clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Plateau United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi have rained encomiums on the organisers of the maiden edition of the Pre-season football tournament of the Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari.
The tournament which kicked-off on October 29 was organised and sponsored by the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the State, Sani Aliyu Danlami.
It featured professional and amateur clubs such as the reigning NPFL champions, Plateau United and Katsina United, Wikki Tourists and Niger Tornadoes. Others included were Gombe United, Sokoto United, Zamfara United as well as state-based Katsina clubs like Garkuwa United, Dan’Buram United and Rarara Academy.
The Head Coach of Plateau United, Abdul Maikaba praised the organisers for putting together a hitch-free tourney especially one in its very maiden edition.
In his compliments, he expressed his gratitude to the organisers. “Governor Masari Pre-season Tournament is a very good competition and one of the best in Nigeria. It has been well organised and I think it should become an annual tournament.
“I have seen so many talented players who can go places. We are also very happy about the introduction of some teams from the grassroots in the tournament,” he said.
In the same vein, Wikki Tourists Technical Adviser, Usman Abd’Allah Sharrif, said such pre-season tournaments often afford the teams the chance to identify lapses that require correction ahead of the commencement of the League.
“I am very impressed with the initiative. It is fantastic that within a very short time, they were able to organise this tournament and set it up. I hope by next year, they would have gained some experience in this and if possible, the whole nation will be coming for Masari’s cup next year,” he said.
Danlami, who sponsored the competition, said its objective was to foster unity amongst the participants. The commissioner promised that it will be expanded to cover more teams from all parts of the country going forward.
“It will also give our home-based players the opportunity to learn from their senior colleagues as well as provide them with windows of opportunity to be signed by other clubs in the country,” he said.
The tournament, holding at the Muhammdu Dikko stadium in Katsina, is expected to end on Saturday, November 7 with the presentation of trophies and prizes to winners.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
