The first of its kind grassroots football tournament in Jos metropolis where matches were played in a knockout format from the kickoff stage came to an end yesterday.
The tournament, tagged: Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti Grassroots Football Championship, saw Plateau Hommers FC emerged Champions from the 32 teams that started the competition.
Plateau Hommers FC, in an end to end encounter on Saturday at the Nasarawa Baptist Playground, Jos, defeated Mabo Young Stars FC 4-2 on penalties after the regulation time score ended 0-0.
The sponsor of the tournament, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti who’s the Plateau State Commissioner For Water Resources And Energy, says: “Although I started this competition when i was still the Commissioner For Youth And Sports Development, but i will not stop because the joy and mandate of this government headed by His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is to see the youths gainfully engaged and kept off the streets and one of the avenues is sports, football in particular.”
Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti goes further: “Seeing this massive turnout here today, everybody rejoicing, cheering their teams not minding tribe or religion differences, I will make this tournament twice annually.”
The Chairman, organizing committee, Nura Nakargo, who was filled of joy, praised the Commissioner to high heavens. In his words: “All this crowd singing and dancing here wouldn’t have been possible if Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti has not put his money on ground for this tournament to be a success. How I wish we have our leaders doing this in their different localities. Such event will not only keep these young boys positively busy but will promote peace and unity as well. And we all are very happy that the Commissioner has promised to sustain it and make it an annual event, and even going ahead to promise staging it twice a year. This is a very good one for the development of the game.”
Also present at the final are the General Manager of Plateau United FC, Habila Hosea Mutla, Mighty Jets International FC Assistant General Manager, Salisu Nakande MON, Plateau United FC Technical Adviser, Mbwas Mangut, Chairman, Jos North, Sam Umaru and PDP Chairman, Jos North, Hon. Azi Elijah, among others.
Sau Paulo FC beat Sarki FC 3-1 at the third place match to win the bronze medal.
Here are all the 32 teams that took part in this tournament:
Ajester FC
Baby Arab FC
Congo Junction FC
Dilimi Warriors FC
11 Stars FC
Rikkos United FC
Alheri Utd FC
Aminci Bukuru
Dutse Uku Utd
Sao Paulo FC
Sarki Boys FC
Plateau Peace FA
Hamza Babes FC
02 Academy
Leicester City FC
Ajax FC
Milan FC
Golden Arrow FC
Corinthians FC
City Bombers FC
Jazzy Stars FA
E E Sports
Tempers FC
Yanshanu Academy
Gangare United FC
Tijara Babes FC
Young Boys FC
Farinuum FC
Mehalla FC
Mabo Youngstars FA
Plateau Hommers FC.
It would be recalled that this first edition Champions, Plateau Hommers FC, defeated 02 Academy 3-2 via penalties in the Round of 32 after regulation time score ended 1-1, beat Dutse Uku 2-1 in the Round of 16, beat Congo Junction FC 9-8 on penalties at the quarter final after the regulation time score ended 0-0. They beat Sarki FC 2-0 in the semi final and beat Mabo Young Stars on penalties at the final.
While the Runners Up, Mabo Young Stars FC defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 in the Round of 32, beat Young Boys fc in the Round of 16, beat City Bombers FC 4-2 on penalties at the quarter final after the regulation time score ended 2-2 and beat Sao Paulo FC 1-0 at the semi final, before bowing out to Plateau Hommers FC on penalties after a 0-0 regulation time score in the final.
