The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, on Wednesday, visited the players’ screening venue of the State-owned Football Club, Nasarawa United, at Yumaco College football field, Lafia.
According to the Commissioner, the visit was to ascertain the level of preparation of the team ahead of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League Season.
“Today is another opportunity for us to see, first-hand, what you people are doing ahead of the new football League Season.
“Indeed, the number of players attending this screening exercise is way too enormous and could portend serious distractions to the Technical Crew and even you as Members of Management because you won’t have the luxury of time to get the best legs for the team.
“I am happy with your(Chairman) briefings. However I want to assure you that the State Government will give you the necessary support to carry out your tasks accordingly.
“This, we hope, will inspire the team to get the desired results and deliver on the mandate of the State Government.”
On whether the Club will play its home games at the Lafia City Stadium this coming League Season, Yargwa revealed thus;
“Regarding the works at the Lafia City Stadium, it’s our hope that it would be ready for use before the league kicks-off. The contractor has assured us he would ensure that the needful is done to return our sportsmen and women back to the facility.
“Nothing gives the home fans more satisfaction like watching and supporting their darling team play right at their home ground, and we are determined to make this feeling come real.”
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the work rate and symbiotic relationship amongst officials of the team, assuring that Government would give them all the needed support to succeed.
“I thank every member of the Club for a job well-done and for the cordial working relationship.
“I want to assure you that the State Government will accord you all the necessary supports to have a befitting camping programme at the best locations in order to bring out the very best in every member of the team.
“Also, be rest assured that all you ever need to have a successful 2022/23 League Season will be given to you as it’s our earnest expectation that you finish the new League Season, not just on a high, but pick a continental ticket.”
Responding to the visit of the Commissioner, Club Chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi, disclosed that he and the entire Management and Staff of the Club felt honoured to receive the Commissioner.
“We are truly grateful for your visit to us today, Honourable Commissioner.
“You can see we are making efforts to go for the Abuja Unity Preseason Tournament where we ended as runners-up last season. This is to enable us have full concentration and avoid all sorts of distractions and detractors.
“We only intend to replace a few number of our players who left us after the end of last Season.
“Whoever doesn’t have any business to be here with us will have to give us some space to allow us concentrate.
“From the Abuja Unity Preseason Tournament, we intend to proceed to Kaduna and Jos, respectively, for further closed-door campings.
“This will enable us have access to the state-of-the-art facilities needed to keep our players abreast of the main tasks ahead.”
The Club’s supremo thanked the State Government led by Governor Abdullahi Sule for investing hugely in sports, and hopes that the State owned Club would play her home games at the Lafia City Stadium, next Season.
“We are hopeful that with your involvement as regards the Stadium, our home Stadium will be ready before the commencement of the new football League Season to add to the giant strides of the Governor in the Youth and Sports sector.
“However, your visit today is a huge morale booster as we prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead.
“We also appreciate the authority of Yumaco College Lafia for availing the Club the use of its facility for her activities.”
Nasarawa United FC beat the odds to finish the 2021/22 NPFL Season on 6th position.
But for the abrupt end of the 2022 Aiteo Federation Cup, the team was on the verge of making a second consecutive finals’ appearance after booking a last-eight place against regional neighbours, Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi.
Mid November, 2022, has been fixed, tentatively, by the League Management Company, LMC, for the commencement of the new NPFL Season, and the Solid Miners are leaving nothing unturned ahead of the campaign as they have lined up series of activities to keep both the players and officials afloat before the beginning of the 2022/2023 NPFL Season.
The Lafia-based side will feature in the 2nd edition of the Unity Preseason Tournament in Abuja, which kicks off this weekend, at the same venue they emerged runners-up last year, behind Plateau United FC.
