Ganduje Urges Greater Investment In Grassroots Sports For Economic Diversification

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past Governor of Kano State, has called upon both public and private sector businesses to make substantial investments in grassroots sports development. He views this as a vital strategy for empowering Nigerian youth and diversifying the nation’s economy.

The former governor, who serves as the grand patron of Ganduje Babes FC, emphasised that nurturing young athletes, providing adequate and high-quality sports infrastructure, and securing significant sponsorships for grassroots sporting events are crucial approaches to advancing Nigeria’s human and capital development agenda.

During a courtesy visit from the players and officials of Nationwide League One (NLO) side, Gandujiyya Babes, Ganduje extended his gratitude to the club’s management for their unwavering persistence and consistency in running the club for the past decade.

He expressed his dismay at the recent pattern of austerity that has affected the disbursement of support funds to amateur football clubs in Kano. He reassured NLO clubs in the state that, with the latest political realignments, they could anticipate a new era of both monetary and morale support for clubs affiliated with the NLO Kano Forum.

Ganduje lamented that since his departure from office as the executive governor, the forum had been deprived of the customary annual support funds and intervention funding previously provided to ensure clubs could operate without disrupting their calendars.

Acknowledging the current challenges faced by NLO clubs within the state, Ganduje pledged his intervention to reverse the situation. He stated that the new political alignment between himself and the incumbent Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, would help revitalise the activities of NLO football clubs operating in the state.

He reiterated his appeal to public and private sector operators to increase their investment in grassroots sports promotion and development programmes.

Ganduje highlighted the global sports sector as the fastest-growing economy, asserting that in Kano and Nigeria at large, the grassroots sports sector merits significant commercial and social investment, in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He recalled that during his tenure as executive governor, substantial resources were invested in the sector to help Kano youth pursue and achieve their sporting aspirations. He expressed confidence in Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s reliable commitment and vigour to pursue any project that will positively impact the lives of Kano youth, assuring that better days await grassroots sports activities in the state.

Ibrahim Usman Arzai, Chairman of Ganduje Babes FC, applauded the former governor for his consistent support to the club since its inception ten years ago. He also acknowledged the crucial financial backing provided by Ganduje’s close confidant, Comrade Mohammed Garba, which enabled the club to endure tough times.

Arzai explained that the club was established to recruit and empower youth from all 44 local government areas of the state. He disclosed plans for the club to embark on an awareness tour of these 44 local governments to educate young people about Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s new sports agenda.

He further revealed that hundreds of Kano youth have benefited from the development initiative programmes implemented under the umbrella of Gandujiyya Babes FC. Arzai concluded by presenting the club’s newly recruited head coach, Muhammad Inuwa Baba, to the grand patron.