Premier League organized by the Taraba State Football Association (FA) for Jalingo local government, has rounded up.
The final match between FC Turaki and FC Target took place at Afolahan Square with a large number of spectators as fans of various football clubs that participated in the league.
Our Correspondent reports that 20 clubs participated in the league, which was sponsored by WOW Company among other partners.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the final match, the state FA Chairman, Mahmoud Sanusi said this is the first time they had a major sponsor, noting that the youth were engaged in activities for almost the whole year which contributed to the maintenance of peace in the state.
He stressed the need for people to look at the International value of the league, as the players are been groomed for clubs that are based abroad.
Mahmoud explained that they are putting more effort and resources into grassroots football development, believing that if any of the players finds his way to one of such clubs in Europe, the whole of Taraba and his locality will enjoy the benefits of his salary.
He urged Taraba State Government, Politicians, and other stakeholders to invest in sports as it had become a business, while he advised the youth to believe in themselves as well as have trust in them as FA to help them become international players .
Also in an interview, the Chairman of Jalingo FA, Coach Suleiman Adamu commended the state FA for organizing the tournament and thanked all those that participated and supported them.
However, Coach Abubakar Sani Sparrow of FC Turaki and his counterpart of Rivers United Jalingo, Coach Abubakar Alti all described the league as successful and thanked the organizers for the opportunity accorded to them to showcase their talented players.
FC Turaki became the winner of the league by defeating FC Rivers with 2-1, and FC Target got 2nd, while Super Stars took the 3rd position.
Meanwhile, the Jalingo FA under the leadership of Coach Suleiman Adamu had presented awards to some selected Philanthropists including Amb. Musa John, Hon. Danladi Baido, the former Director of Taraba State Sports Council, Mrs. Yosie Daniel among others.
Sani Sulaiman