Kaduna- The Kaduna State chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) on Sunday in Kaduna rounded off its year 2014 activities with the final matches of seven competitions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the final matches were played at the Kaduna YSFON Pitch and the ABS Training Pitch, both at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS).
They involved finalists from various age-grade male competitions organised by the youth sports body since January, involving a total of 140 youth football clubsides.
In the final of the under-10 competition which had 14 participants, Nationale of Tudun Ilu beat Gamji of Kaduna South 3-2 at the YSFON pitch.
Florentina beat FC Porto 1-0 at the YSFON pitch in the final of the under-13 competition, which was an 8-a-side event involving 12 teams.
At the ABS Training Pitch, Golden Boys of Igabi beat Bufa of Kaduna South 2-1 in the final of the under-15 contest which had 20 participants.
The under-17 event which had 24 participants saw Stallion beating Doka Stars on penalty kicks after a goalless draw at the ABS Training Pitch.
In the under-18 category which had 36 teams as participants, the Quarry Men Fc of Kaduna North lost 0-3 to El-Haroun FC of Kaduna South.
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In the final of the under-14 competition which had 18 teams, Golden Arrows beat Gamji 2-0.
The final of the under-17 competition for clubsides in the Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area was also played on Sunday in Kaduna at the ABS Training Pitch.
Sixteen teams took part, with Dutsen-Mai of Zangon-Kataf taking on Amana Madauchi in the final match.
Speaking after the matches, the Kaduna State YSFON Secretary, Abdulrasaq Usman, said it was thrilling for him and the organisation to have ended the year on such a note.
He said the final matches were just some of the finals of competitions the organisation put together in the year.
“Five other final matches were played some days ago on these two pitches, involving some other age-grade clubsides, and it is a good thing to see the excitement in the players and their officials.
`Not only that, it was lovely seeing the quality of play and the individual skills displayed by the boys in these matches, and I can say that the national team handlers are missing a lot by not being here,’’ Usman said.
The official, who is also the YSFON National Organising Secretary, said it was important that Nigeria Football Association (NFA) officials should take time out to watch youth competitions in states.
“It is very important, because Nigeria has a lot of youth football talents and it is only when the NFA officials go round that they can really see them and choose the best for the country,’’ he said.
Usman however appealed to public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to come to the aid of Kaduna State YSFON, saying the body was in dire need of financial assistance.
“We have a lot of activities on our programme, and not only in male and female football, but in other sports too, involving various grades of youths.
“However, finance is our major problem, as we receive no grant or any form of assistance from any group or government.
“So, we will greatly appreciate any form of support to help expose hidden sports talents, and help in grooming and shaping their lives for a better future,’’ he said.(NAN)
