Governor Mallam Umar Namadi has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of sports in Jigawa State, particularly grassroots initiatives aimed at youth empowerment.
The governor made this statement while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian National League (NNL), led by Mr. Yakubu Sama, at the Government House, Dutse.
The visit by the NNL team was part of a facility inspection tour in preparation for the commencement of the league’s matches.
Governor Namadi expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth and sports development in the state and its efforts to utilize sports as a platform for youth engagement, talent development, and societal growth.
“The youths are the future; whatever we can do to motivate them, we will do. Since the inception of this administration, we have prioritized scouting and nurturing talents from the grassroots, leading to the establishment of the Junior Golden Stars as a feeder team for the senior team,” he said.
The governor then announced his administration’s plan to build a new stadium in the state, which is expected to rank among the best in Nigeria in terms of facilities and capacity.
He promised continuous collaboration with stakeholders to ensure progress in sports development and emphasized the importance of motivating both players and management to achieve success.
Earlier presenting his remarks, Mr. Yakubu Sama commended the state government’s dedication to enhancing sports infrastructure and promoting the Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club, assuring that the Jigawa Golden Stars will now play their league matches at home, benefiting from improved facilities.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for addressing prior administrative challenges faced by the club, stating that the timely appointment of a management team, which resolved issues that had previously led to sanctions against the club, was particularly lauded. This step has provided much-needed stability and a clearer vision for the club’s future, he said.
Mr. Yakubu lauded the establishment of the feeder team, the Junior Golden Stars, as a critical step for sustainable sports development and advocated using sports as a tool for social reintegration, particularly for out-of-school children, proposing initiatives such as providing uniforms, school bags, and other supplies to encourage youth participation.
Hamisu Mohammed Gumel
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa state
November 26, 2024