By

Etche Amos

Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, has been investitured as PATRON by Organizers of the annual Abuja Unity Pre-season Tournament, an off-season football competition which sees clubs from elite, 2nd and 3rd division as well as non-league sides sizing one another in a week-long preparations ahead of a major football season, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Danladi was decorated and presented with a Meritorious Award by Chairman and sponsor of the Pre-season Tournament, Mr. Patrick Ngwaogu, during the final of the 3rd edition of the competition between Niger Tornadoes versus Like Minds FC at the popular Area 3 Football Pitch, Garki, Abuja, on Sunday afternoon.

According to Patrick, the recognition became imperative owing to Danladi's unalloyed commitment and support to promoting the Pre-season competition.

As Patron, the Permanent Secretary who was full of joy, pledged to increase his support and commitment to the Organizers to stage more rewarding and highly competitive Pre-season Tournaments in subsequent times, adding that he would assist the Organizers to have the 4th edition of the annual competition hosted in Nasarawa State.

"On behalf of my family and good people of Nasarawa State, let me express my gratitude and appreciation to the Organisers of this competition for finding me worthy, in this circumstance, to be bestowed with this beautiful award.

"We have been participating as Nasarawa United in this competition and also doing well because we played in the final of the last two editions, even though we couldn't play in the final this year.

"However, it's a tournament that's supposed to prepare teams so that coaches of the participating teams can assess their players and prepare them ahead of the forthcoming season.

"Having said that, I would ensure that this tournament is hosted in each of the Zones of the Country.

"I will lobby my State Government under the leadership of our pragmatic Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, so that the 4th edition of the competition can be staged in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital.

"Lessons learnt from this competition are not ephemeral but long-lasting."

In the ensuing finale, Nationwide League One side, Like Minds FC of Abuja shocked NPFL side, Niger Tornadoes 1-0 to be crowned the newest Champions of the Pre-season Tournament.

Substitute, Lucky Chidum Ojukwu scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute before a handful of guests and spectators.

Eleven teams, including Nasarawa United, Plateau United, participated in the one week-long competition which began on 12th August, 2024.