NAN-H-12
Sports
By Muhammad Baba Busu
Dandare (Nasarawa), Nov 6, 2016 (NAN) A traditional ruler in Nasarawa state, Alhaji Balarabe Saheed-Muhammad, has called for the harnessing of the potentials of sports to unite the people.
Saheed-Muhammad, second class Emir and also the ‘Songarin Dandare’, said sports, especially football, could be used to foster lasting peace and unity, urging wealthy individuals to assist government in its funding.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the traditional ruler stated this at the opening ceremony of Mai-Lafia Peace and Unity Football Competition in Daddare, Obi Local Government area of the state on Sunday.
According to the monarch, sports, especially football, has now become an indispensable political weapon, as well as a veritable source of income globally.
“Sports, most especially football, have now become tools of national and international integration, as well as diplomacy.
‘Sports are veritable tools for peace, unity and national development, as such wealthy individuals in the country should support the government in uplifting the sector,” he said.
Saheed-Muhammad noted that the current funding of sporting activities in the country left much to be desired, and called for improvement.
In his remarks, the sponsor of the competition, Yakubu Mailafia-Agabson, who expressed dismay over frequent crisis in the area, said his decision to sponsor the football competition was to bring youths together for lasting peace.
According to him, the area has been witnessing crises for the past four years, with no meaningful development.
“I now thought of bringing the youth who are used to ignite such crisis together, for us to enjoy lasting peace,” he said.. (NAN)
NAN reports that in the opening match, Chokali Utd of Daddare piped Riri Utd of Riri 1-0. (NAN)
BAB/ASH/ASH