PMB CUP 2019: Minister renews commitment to grassroots sports as Arewa United FC lifts trophy

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, has disclosed that the  Ministry would do all it takes to boost grassroots football and youth participation in sports.

 He stated this in Daura, Katsina State, at the finals of the 2019 PMB Cup for the Next Level in which Arewa United FC of Kankia  defeated F.C Barcelona of Daura 1-0.

Addressing journalists after the match, the Minister said,  "I can say that what I've seen here today has shown that Nigeria is a football nation and that our youth love football so we must support and develop them through football".
The Minister praised the organizers of the competition which had forty-four teams at the start, for sustaining the tournament over the years, adding that it was in line with the Ministry's vision for grassroot football development.

"When I came in three months ago, I outlined three things as my strategic plans. One is grassroots development. That means, we shall return to grassroots to fish out talents. What I have seen here today is real grassroot football development with very little support from the government. You can say it is all private personal initiative, so I'm here to support this, to inspire them and to also make sure we support them all the way."

"I will work with the organizers to look for the four best players from this tournament, I will inject them into the national team, any of the cadres depending on their years, we will hand them over to the NFF as the talented stars we discovered from here", he concluded.

Other notable personalities that graced the PMB Cup final match in a stadium packed full of football fans include, Governor  of Katsina State, His Excellency Alhaji Bello Masari, and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fatau Mohammed, amongst others.

By Olamide Oyetunji