Kongila United of Minna has won the second edition of Masaro Peace and Unity football competition.
Kongila United defeated T-Boys of Tunga , Minna by 5-4 through penalty shootouts after both teams ended one all at regulation time.
Kongila United took the lead at about 25 minutes into the game through Shokky James, while Ambali Abduljaleel got the equalizer for the T-Boys about 10 minutes later, forcing the game to end 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
Speaking at the finals, the donor and sponsor of the tournament, Alh. Yusuf Isah Masaro said the gesture was to complement government efforts towards youths and sports development, football in particular.
He disclosed that 20 teams participated in the tournament and throughout the period of the tournament the youths were fully engaged, there by taking them away from social vices.
Alhaji Isah Masaro who is a Minna based sports philanthropist and a staff of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said he was desirous of helping the youths to have a bright future so that they can be beneficial to themselves and the society in general.
He observed that sports, football in particular is now a profession that can turn the life of an individual and his family for better, hence the organization of the championship to create a platform and give a lifeline to the youths to succeed in their God given talent.
“When we do things like this, it engages the youths and gives them opportunity to turn away from bad thing and have a career in football. By so doing they will not have time to go for stealing, taking drugs and other social vices and the society will be a better place for all of us,” he explained.
Alhaji Isah Masaro said their impression about the tournament is to bring the boys out of the shackles of bad deeds to meaningful ventures and that he was happy doing it, promising also to continue to sponsor subsequent edition of the tournament.
He called on youths in the state to always come out to participate and showcase themselves whenever there is tournament of this nature because they might not know where their breakthrough will come, disclosing that a boy had been discovered during the preliminary rounds of the tournament and have been engaged with the state darling team, Niger Tornadoes.
Similarly the Chairman of Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh said the state FA is happy that people are joining the crusade for grassroots football development in the state.
He recalled that a fortnight ago they witnessed the finals of the prestigious Niger state pre-season soccer tournament sponsored by Engr. Ibrahim Dada at Maikunkele, saying it was exactly what they expected from people like Isah Masaro and Engr Dada.
Ahmed Fresh observed that football is for the youths and is synonymous to human capital development, urging other well to do individuals and corporate organizations to emulate what Engr. Ibrahim Dada and Isah Masaro are doing.
Highlights of the event were presentation of Medals, trophies and cash rewards to players and teams that were outstanding during the tournament, while various individuals who contributed to the success of the tournament were also recognized with varieties of awards.