From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Chairman, Nasarawa United Football Club (FC) Barr Isaac Danladi, has bagged an award of excellence as ‘Icon of Grassroots Football Development’ following his meritorious service to humanity and football development both in Nasarawa State and beyond.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Officer, Nasarawa United FC, Mr Eche Amos, said the merit award was presented to Barr Danladi, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League Club by officials and players of Dr Akabe FC, Doma, led by Coach Mohammed Zuma, with support from the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe held on Tuesday in Lafia.
The statement explained that Dr Akabe, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Stephen Dogo, who presented the award to Danladi, described him as a workaholic, and experienced achiever.
Akabe said the state was proud of the state government’s owned football club chairman for always defying the odds to keep the team floating in the elite league.
The deputy governor assured that the state government would continue to encourage sporting activities and relevant stakeholders to thrive in the state.
He, called on recipient of the award to utilise every opportunity given to him to do more for the sake of humanity.
Receiving the award, the recipient, Barr Danladi expressed joy for being found worthy for the honour.
He said: “I truly appreciate this wonderful gesture done to me today by Dr Akabe FC. I want to most sincerely thank the coach and his team, and especially Tafida, for finding me fit and proper to be given this award.
“In recent times, I have received so many awards, but I want to say that this is the most treasurable and valuable award I have ever received.
“I am really touched, even though I have been doing what I am doing seamlessly, not knowing some people are sitting somewhere and appreciating what I am doing.
“This award will spur me to continue to put in my best in the interest of football in Nasarawa State and in the diaspora, as well as humanity generally.
“I have been following up with the activities of Dr Akabe FC and other local clubs, and I must say that we are blessed with abundance of talents, and as we progress, we shall be asking for those talents to team up with us at Nasarawa United or its equivalent.
“I wish to state that I will continue to offer my unalloyed support to Dr Akabe FC and other grassroots clubs in anyway possible for them to grow.”
He, thanked both the Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, and his deputy, Dr Akabe, for providing him with the right environment to carry out his duties unhindered.
Earlier, in his remark, the leader of the delegation, Coach Zuma, said the track records and result-oriented charisma of the club’s chairman in turning around the fortune of the club for better in the Nigeria domestic elite league, as well as his relentless support for the growth and development of grassroots talents in the state earned him the award.