Gov Bagudu hosts Kebbi United FC, pledges more investment in sports

By Taofeek Lawal

The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has pledged to invest more in sports for the development of youths.

The Governor stated this at Government House Birnin Kebbi, shortly after Ramadan breakfast with the players and officials of Kebbi United Football club.

Bagudu appreciated and commended efforts of the club in its recent success in the Nigerian professional league as well as its feat against Zamfara United.

He said: "first and foremost is to thank all of you and to congratulate all of you for the successes you have witnessed; despite our late start, you have done very well.

"On behalf of Government and people of Kebbi State, we show our appreciation and to encourage all of you, so thank you, thank you,thank you," he said.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to sustaining support for the development of sports in the state particularly the game of soccer.

"We decided to invest more in sports than was not hitherto being done, because sports is a field of endeavour like other fields of endeavours.

 "We want those who have skills and interest to have an opportunity in the field of endeavour where they can live productive lives  and they can bring honor to all of us,"he assured.

He expressed happiness that some football players from the state like Zaidu Sanusi Jega have reached limelight in international football and hoped that others too would soon play professional football to bring honors to the state.

While enumerating some of the efforts and successes his administration recorded in sports, Bagudu said, "We are doing very well in beach soccer in the country and the world, beach soccer started like an experiment in Kebbi'.

The Governor further explained that the State Government had sponsored some youths to Kwara Sports Academy, attended all the National Sports festivals while the state para soccer team was also in Kano for a tournament.

While thanking the foreign coaches, Mr. Pedro and his colleague, for making Kebbi their second home, the governor expressed delight in the discipline, dedication and resilience of Kebbi United Football club.

He announced a donation of N10millio to the team.

Earlier, the State Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan, commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his unalloyed commitment and support to the development of sports in the state .

He said because of belief the Governor has for harnessesing and empowering the youths at tender age, he approved the establishment of Kebbi United Football club and Kebbi Football Academy.

Ladan averred that a number of players from the state were being eyed by European and Asian clubs.

"Because of the support from His Excellency, three players are in Egypt, hopefully they will go beyond Egypt..

"Two players from the state are with Sporting Lisbon, Portugal; as soon as they reach 18 years, they will join the club," he averred.

Ladan also recalled that when Kebbi United football club was formed, it started in amateur group, got promoted to National Football league and now the team was aspiring to be in the Premier league, hopefully this year .

In another development, Governor Bagudu who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum hosted Local Government Chairmen in the state and the State House of Assembly members to break their Ramada fast  in Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The local Government Chairmen were led by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman, Hon. Aminu Ahmad Sarkin Fada , Chairman, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, while the state legislators were led by the Speaker,  Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon . Muhammad Sani Abubakar Lolo.