By Mike Oboh
Kwara state on Thursday advanced to the finals of the ongoing Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) organized Ramat Cup with a lone goal victory against Bauchi State.
The encounter which was a repeat of last year’s finals, which Bauchi lost with the same margin, saw the Kwara boys dominating the proceedings in the encounter.
In the second semi final game, Oyo state sent out Ogun 2-1 to set the stage for the final clash against the defending champions, Kwara that will be decided at the Pillars stadium on Friday.
Though Ogun recorded the first goal in the early minutes of the encounter, the Oyo team came into the game with a well-coordinated effort to even scores and got the winning goal to book their place in the final.
Bauchi State and their Ogun counterpart slug will it out in the third place match before the Kwara boys confront Oyo for the trophy at stake.
Speaking after the game, the chairman of YSFON, Kwara state chapter, Adeola Keyisola said the target of the team was to retain the trophy.
Keyisola said that the players have proved to be a good side, noting the development effort efforts of the state chapter have yielded the necessary results.
He said the state has a development plan which allows for the participation in its programme by the 16 local government areas in the state.
He however appealed to the State government to help solve the vehicular needs of the team, saying, “Our State was one of the first few states in the country to have a bus, and as it is now we are not in that category, so we need the support of the state government to resolve the issue, and I am hopeful if the players retain the trophy the state government will consider the team’s plight.”
He added that YSFON in the state will continue to contribute to the development of the youths through sports in the State.
Meanwhile, YSFON’s President, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna has commended participating states for their conduct throughout the duration of the competition.
He said the body will continue to provide the enabling environment for the youths to develop through sports in the country.
He also commended the Kano State government under the able leadership of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the continued support for YSFON in its programme.
