The Nigerian Navy and the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, have commenced two grassroots football competitions in Abia State, aimed at identifying and developing young football talents across Nigeria.
The 22nd Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Cup for Under-14 boys kicked off on Sunday at Government College, Umuahia, while the 14th Naval Officers Wives Association, NOWA, Cup for Under-17 girls also began at the same venue.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abass, said the competitions were organized in collaboration with YSFON as part of efforts to promote grassroots football development.
Abass, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer of the Naval Training Centre, Victor Choji, said teams from across the country would participate in the tournaments.
He said the competitions were designed to provide young players with opportunities to develop their football abilities while promoting discipline, sportsmanship and youth development. “The players are expected to promote skills, discipline, sportsmanship and youth development,” he said.
Abass noted that the tournaments have contributed to the emergence of footballers who went on to represent Nigeria at the highest level.
He specifically mentioned Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho and Super Falcons midfielder Halimat Ayinde among the national stars who emerged through the competitions.
He urged the players to compete fairly and called on match officials to maintain impartiality throughout the tournaments. “I urge the players to compete fairly and the officials to be impartial,” Abass said.
The National President of YSFON, Dr Nasir Gawuna, described the competitions as important platforms for discovering football talents at the grassroots.
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Gawuna, who was represented by YSFON National Vice-President Sunny Opara, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for its continued partnership in developing sports and young footballers. He disclosed that 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory were participating in the competitions. “Twenty states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are participating in the competition,” he said.
The Abia Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the state was honored to host the competitions.
Ananaba, represented by the governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Sports, Raymond Okwa, pledged the state’s continued support for youth development initiatives.
He encouraged the participating teams to maintain friendship, discipline and fair play throughout the tournaments.
“I urge the participating teams to embrace friendship and fair play throughout the competitions,” he said.
The YSFON Chairman in Abia, Ifeanyi Dike, also assured the organizers and participating teams that the state would provide the necessary support for a successful hosting of the competitions.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abia’s Under-17 girls began their NOWA Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Rivers in the opening match.
The result gives the host state an early boost as teams from across the country continue their pursuit of honors in the youth competitions.
NAN
