By Richard Benjamin
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development as a means of discovering talents, empowering youths and fostering unity across the state, while ordering the rehabilitation and upgrading of Hadejia Township Stadium within six months.
Namadi made the commitment on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Hadejia during the grand finale of an inter-ward football competition, according to a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Hamisu Gumel.
The governor described the competition as a significant milestone in grassroots sports development and a means of engaging and empowering young people.
He said all participants in the tournament were winners because the competition provided them with opportunities to showcase their talents and build friendships.
According to him, one of the earliest decisions of his administration was to direct the Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture to establish a structured grassroots sports development programme.
Namadi said the policy had already started yielding results with the emergence of the Jigawa Junior Golden Stars, a team of indigenous players competing in the Nigeria Nationwide League One.
He said the team’s success had demonstrated the effectiveness of the state’s grassroots sports initiative and pledged to replicate the model across other sporting disciplines.
“We will continue to strengthen sports development by identifying and nurturing talents from the grassroots while creating opportunities for our young people to realise their full potential,” he said.
The governor also directed the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture to rehabilitate and upgrade the Hadejia Township Stadium within six months.
He said the project was aimed at providing improved sporting facilities for athletes in the area.
Namadi commended the sponsors of the competition and appreciated the ministry, participating teams, match officials and other stakeholders for ensuring its successful organisation.
The tournament featured teams from the 11 wards of Hadejia Local Government Area and was sponsored by the state Accountant-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu.
GRA Ward emerged champions after defeating Sabon Garu Ward in the final to lift the trophy.
In his remarks, Shehu said the competition was organised to promote unity among youths and provide a platform for discovering and nurturing football talents at the grassroots.
He commended the Namadi administration for prioritising youth empowerment through sports.
Shehu said the state’s grassroots sports policy was a catalyst for producing future champions and strengthening social cohesion.
