From Abel Leonard, Lafia
LAFIA — Heavy rain could not dampen the excitement as the 40th Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed U-16 Boys’ Football Tournament kicked off on Saturday, with Kwara defeating hosts Nasarawa 4–2 in the opening match.
The week-long event at Lafia City Stadium features 20 states, with more expected, competing in four groups for a place in the August 16 final. Organized by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) with the Nasarawa State Government and State FA, the tournament aims to discover young football talent.
YSFON Technical Director Abdulgafar Agboola hailed the competition as historic, praising Governor Abdullahi Sule’s support in bringing the event to Nasarawa for the first time in over two decades. Nasarawa YSFON Chairman Suleiman Usman Bako lauded the tournament as a unifying force and thanked stakeholders for making it possible.
The ceremonial kick-off was performed by State FA Chairman, Salisu Usman Galadima.
