After days of hostilities, Kano state has defeated neighbours Katsina 2-1 to emerge Champions of 2019 Para-Soccer championship.
In the third place match, former champions Kaduna were held to 2-2 draw by Nasarawa in regulation time before scoring the decisive penalty to win 3-2.
The tournament sponsored by the Para-Soccer Federation of Nigeria in conjunction with Rotary International and Emeka Offor Foundation to mark World polio-free day saw victorious teams and individual players going home with different prizes.
The first placed team took home N200,000, runners up N120,000 while the third placed team got N100,000.
The award of Best Coach went to Ibrahim Musa of Kano, Ismail Yahaya of Kano emerged the Youngest Player, Abdullahi Muhammed of Kano who scored eight goals picked the award for the Highest Goal scorer, the MVP award went to Haladu Usman of Nasarawa State just as Adoro Umar was the Best referee of the tournament.
Each of the award winners was rewarded with N10,000.
However, the Best Entertaining player of the tournament Sani Gimbiya of Katsina smiled home with the highest individual prize of N50,000.00.
The founder and president of Para-soccer, Alhaji Misbahu Lawan Didi, appreciated Rotary International and Emeka Offor Foundation for the support given to the sport federation.
He also commended Kano State government for accepting to sponsor Para-soccer league slated for December 4 in Kano.
Speaking at the final, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare, who was eleated assured that the federal government would PFN to ensure it progresses in its activities both at the national or global stage.
Dare PFN President, the winner of the tournament as well as the sponsors adding that what he saw at the final confirmed that indeed there is ability in disability.
The Youth and Sports Minister said, “I am happy to be here, as soon as i was told that they are about to wrap up this program, i have to leave the senate and come here to be part of this closing ceremony.” Dare told journalists.
“Let me first congratulate the President of Para-soccer Federation, Musbahi Lawal-Didi, the winner of the trophy, the sponsor and those that partook in the game.
“I am told in the last five days you’ve been playing this game, i know that in sports even in disability, there is ability. And we can see the evidence here today. I want to thank Rotary Club International especially Chief Emeka Offor and every other member of Rotary for this support, the government knows that they alone cannot do it, we like the role Rotary played. I think together we can build this sector.
“And let me make this pledge, so long as we know about you, the ministry of Youth and Sports will support the para-soccer federation and once again, i say congratulations.”
