By Peter Amine
Jos – Jos North Local Government Area’s football team on Thursday defeated their Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) counterparts to win the Plateau Governor’s Cup for the second time in two years.
In the competition’s final match played in Jos, the Jos North side drew goalless draw with their opponents before emerging victorious after a penalty kicks shootout.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Plateau State Governor’s Cup Football Competition is an annual event organised by the Plateau Football Association (PFA).
Speaking after the final match, the state governor, Simon Lalong, said youths and sports development carry the triple advantage of human capital development, economic enhancement and peace consolidation.
“Our agenda on sports is clearly outlined, and that is the reason why I directed the reintroduction of schools sports both at the zonal and grassroots levels.
“The state government will strive to provide the enabling environment and the requisite standard facilities for the development of youths.’’
He expressed his commitment to sports and assured the people of the state of his desire to complete Zaria Road Stadium.
The governor also said he would increase the state government’s sponsorship of sportsmen and women in the state to national and international competitions.
Lalong urged the chairmen of local government councils in the state to pay attention to sports by sponsoring youths to zonal and state competitions as a way of engaging them.
The governor announced a cash donation of N500,000 for the third-placed side, Langtang South LG, as well as N750,000 for the second-place winners and N1 million for the winners.
NAN reports that the competition is being organised to promote unity in the state and discover budding talents at the grassroots.