From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Immediate past Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang, has appealed to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to complete the various stadia his administration started constructing in the 17 local government areas of the state to help discover hidden talents in football.
Jang made the appeal Saturday in Jos, at the Rwang-Pam township stadium during the kick-off, of the first ever peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, organised by Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represents Plateau North senatorial district.
According to Jang, if completed, sporting events at local government areas shall engage youths in more profiting ventures, rather than being redundant.
Jang who senator Istifanus Gyang succeeded commended him for the initiative.
Similarly, captain of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa, in his address at the football tournament, reiterated the need for the completion of the ongoing Zaria road stadium in Jos, which has the capability of hosting international football matches.
It was gathered that the said stadium project began about three decades ago, but is yet to be completed to international standard.
The Super Eagles captain explained that the Zaria road stadium, when completed, shall attract huge economic benefits to the state, because international matches could be played there.
Ahmed Musa revealed plans to build an international standard sporting centre in Plateau state, should government volunteer land for him; he pleaded with the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase to ask Governor Simon Lalong to grant him the request.
Also speaking at the kick-off, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, who commended the organiser of peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, said it will foster unity in the entire state.
The legislator tasked colleagues of Senator Istifanus Gyang to take a queue from the initiative.
The deputy speaker who made various financial pledges to individual and club winners of the football competition, charged participants to be peaceful.
On his part, organiser of the maiden Plateau North peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, Senator Istifanus Gyang, in a speech said, the gesture is to re-unite his constituents for harmonious living.
According to Senator Gyang, the on-going football tournament is part of his second term campaign promises.
He said the tournament shall also help football managers discover football talents that Nigeria might need to engage in future.
24 teams out of 73 teams who played at the preliminary stages from six (6) local government areas of the senatorial district qualified for the on-going football competition.
Most former international football players who hail from Plateau state were present at the kick-off, and staged a 30 minutes exhibition match.
