By Our Sport Correspondent
The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, says he decided to organize football competition among the youths of Kokona LGA in order to promote unity and peace among the diverse ethnic, religion and political groups in the area.
The football competition according to him was also aimed at uplifting the youths, engaged them positively and fish out hidden talents among them.
The Speaker stated this today Sunday in Garaku, Kokona LGA of the State during the grand finale of his football competition between Ga'ate United from Haderi Ward and Garaku selected.
The competition was tagged "Speaker Jatau Peace and Unity Cup"
He said that football is one of the valuable tools for national integration, hence the need of his desire to organize the competition.
“ Sport is a valuable tool for national integration, apart from physical well-being, sports can play an important role for a safer, more prosperous and more peaceful society through its educational values and world wide network"
He said that the competition was also aimed at reducing youths restiveness in the society.
“As you can see, in football, just like any other games there is no permanent enemy, this competition has brought together and unite the youths and people of my constituency irrespective of their ethnic, religion and political affiliation.
"As this competition will promote unity and peace in this Local Government and beyond.
"Let's unity continue to be our focus point at all times" he said.
The Speaker also said that the competition has provided an avenue for his people to interact positively, exchange positive ideas and pleasantries.
" As well as making the youths to discover their hidden talents and potentials for the development of Kokona LG and the State at large" he said.
Besides, Jatau urged the people of the area and the State at large not to allow the upcoming local government election to divide them.
" We should not allow the upcoming local government election to divide us" he said.
He urged political class and others to play the game of politics by its rules ahead of the upcoming local government election in the State.
Speaker Jatau assured of his continued commitment to provide all inclusive leadership in the area and the State just as he called on citizens to pray and support the administration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule to succeed.
He called on the youths and other Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their affiliations.
He appreciated Abaga Toni, HRH Lawrence Ayih, Reps Jeremiah Umar, members of the state legislature, staff of the State Assembly, political and religious leaders among other well wishers for attending the competition and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
Also Speaking , HRH, Lawrence Ayih, the Abaga Toni, appreciated the Speaker for organizing the competition.
He said that competition as such has promoted unity and peace among youths and other people in the society and called for its sustenance.
The first class traditional ruler urged the people of the area to continue to live in unity and co-existence peacefully irrespective of their affiliations.
It would be reported that 13 teams have participated in the competition and during the final between Ga'ate United and Garaku Selected, the game ended one zero in favour of Ga'ate United which went home with N500, 000 and the trophy.
The second position went home with N250, 000 while third position got N150, 000 with fourth place receiving N100, 000 among other consolation prizes.
It would also be reported that the competition featured presentation of different awards to various categories of teams that excels during the tournament respectively.
