Jigawa Gov. Namadi Reaffirms Commitment to Grassroots Sports, Orders Hadejia stadium Rehabilitation

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sports development as a strategy for discovering talents, empowering youths and fostering unity across the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Hamisu Gumel on Monday, said Namadi gave the commitment on Sunday in Hadejia, at the grand finale of the Inter-ward football competition.
It said that the governor, in his remarks at the event, described the competition as a significant milestone in grassroots sports development and a means to engage and empower young people.
He said that all participants in the tournament were winners because the competition provided an opportunity for youths to showcase their talents and build friendships.
According to him, one of the earliest decisions of his administration was directing the Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, to establish a structured grassroots sports development programme.
Namadi, according to the statement, said the policy had already started yielding results with the emergence of the Jigawa Junior Golden Stars, a team of indigenous players, competing in the Nigeria Nationwide League One.
He said the success of the team has demonstrated the effectiveness of the state’s grassroots sports initiative and pledged to replicate the model across other sporting disciplines.
“We will continue to strengthen sports development by identifying and nurturing talents from the grassroots while creating opportunities for our young people to realise their full potential,” he said.
The report also said that Namadi also directed the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, to rehabilitate and upgrade the Hadejia Township Stadium within six months.
The aim, he said, is to provide improved sporting facilities for athletes in the area.
He commended the sponsors of the competition and appreciated the ministry, participating teams, match officials and other stakeholders for ensuring its successful organisation.
The tournament featured teams from the 11 wards of Hadejia Local Government Area and was sponsored by the state’s Accountant-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu.
The GRA Ward emerged champions after defeating Sabon Garu Ward in the final match to lift the trophy.