Nasarawa State Agency for Youth Empowerment Scheme, NAYES, defeated the Nigeria Police Force, Nasarawa State Command, 9-8 on penalty shootout to emerge Champions in the keenly contested Maiden Edition of the Governor Abdullahi Sule Inter-Security Agencies Football Competition on Sunday evening.
After full-time scoreline ended goalless, penalty shootout was used to determine the eventual winners.
Each side squandered one spot kick in the first session leading to a marathon shootout proceeding, with NAYES winning the tie-breaker 9-8, and sent their fans who had trooped into the Football Field of Federal University, Lafia, into a frenzy.
In the 3rd-place play-off, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, laboured to a 6-5 penalty shootout victory after regulation time ended 1-1 apiece.
Presenting the trophy to the winners, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, congratulated NAYES for defying the odds to emerge winners of the tournament.
“I congratulate the new champions and all those Agencies who participated in the tournament on this milestone achievement. It is never easy to become a champion, even though in this case, we are all winners.”
He commended Organizers of the competition and participating Agencies for displaying excellent spirit of sportsmanship throughout the tournament, describing sport as a unifier and necessary tool for healthy living and better productivity.
“Indeed, every participating Agency strived during the competition to reach out to victory and for the coveted position, but there can only be one winner at a time in a sport like this.
“However, we are overwhelmed by the display of the spirit of sportsmanship in the entire duration of the tournament, even though there were pockets of misunderstandings which were later settled amicably by the organizers.
“This is what sports represents. Sports enables you to respect, tolerate and support one another, no matter the situation.
“Sports also teaches us to uphold the best of humanity and highlight the value of peaceful co-existence, especially in a multi-racial and cultural setting like ours.
“The sole purpose of this tournament is to work for the common good of our dear State and larger society.
“It is also a deliberate action by this administration to strengthen Inter-Agency cooperation, ensure physical fitness, mental and psychological alertness of personnel to carry out their tasks successfully.”
The Governor noted that his administration would continue to support the growth and development of sports in the State in order to encourage podium appearance and healthy competition between youth and stakeholders of Nasarawa State Ministry with their counterparts around the world.
Speaking earlier, proponent of the competition and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Sports Affairs, Comr. Ibrahim Hamza Moyi, expressed joy for the successful completion of the tournament.
“I feel very delighted that this tournament has come to a climax today.
“I thank the Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for approving this initiative and approving funds for its execution.
“The Governor’s gesture continues to foster peaceful coexistence and development of our great State.
“This, no doubts, has created a peaceful and united environment among the various Security Agencies in the State, which will, hitherto, lead to better, efficient and effective service delivery.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the various Security Agencies and their heads for accepting to participate in this competition.
“Without their cooperation, this would have been an effort in futility, and we hope this beautiful synergy is sustained.
“Also, I thank the Organizing Committee members for the wonderful job of ensuring a successful event, and the Media for a wonderful coverage and reportage.
“Suffice to state that what this administration is doing is to harness talents from the grassroots and nurture them into global stars.
“Already, there are plans ongoing between the Government of Nasarawa State and Hungary to develop sports and sporting infrastructure in the State for optimum performance, and we strongly believe that this too will see the light of the day.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule was presented with special ‘Medal of Honour’ by organizers of the tournament.
Consolation prizes were given to individual players and coaches who distinguished themselves, while each of the participating Agencies got appearance cash prizes.
Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia, Professor Shehu Abdulrahman, represented by the Institution’s Director of Sports, Mr. Simon Onah, was equally presented with a medal of honour.
Ten Military and Paramilitary Agencies participated in the one-month-long competition, which include, The Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Correctional Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Nasarawa State Agency for Youth Empowerment Scheme.
Heads of the various participating Security Agencies in the State attended the closing ceremony which was chaired by the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi(mni, OFR).