by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has prioritized sports as a “cornerstone for fostering peace, unity, and nurturing young talents” across the state for greater productivity.
The Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA) to Plateau Govt House, Dr. Gyang Bere, has organised and sponsored a ‘Peace and Unity Football Tournament’ in his hometown, Vwang District, which held at Vwang Central Football Field, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, recently, where he kicked-off the tournament.
Gyang Bere retorted that, this gesture “is to be in tandem with Governor Mutfwang’s vision of creating avenue for the youths in the state to explore their potentials.”
He stressed that, “The primary aim of this initiative is to uncover and nurture football talents within our community. Many of our youths possess exceptional abilities but have lacked the platforms and mentorship to showcase their skills beyond the district.”
“Today, we take a bold step towards bridging that gap by providing a stage where their potentials can shine and their dreams can be realized,” Bere stated.
The DOPPA, nonetheless, admitted that “Beyond football, this tournament embodies a greater purpose; the event serves as a platform to educate participants and community members on critical societal issues such as the dangers of drug abuse.
“It is a call to action for our youths to pursue productive and meaningful ventures that contribute to the betterment of society,” he stated.
Gyang Bere believes that, “Through this tournament, we seek to instill values of selflessness, charity, and unity among the people of Vwang; and we believe these virtues are essential for building a cohesive and progressive community.”
In the same vein, chairman of Plateau State Football Association (PFA), Hon. Suleiman Kwande, commended Gyang Bere for bringing innovation to his immediate community.
He urged participating teams to take advantage of the initiative and play according to the rules of the game, as football is not just a uniting factor but also a lucrative business.
The Traditional Council of Vwang District, His Royal Highness, Da Gyang Balak, equally expressed delight that the competition will go a long way in providing unity and paving ways for the youths’ agitations for better future endeavors.
Our correspondent reports that, sets of brand new jersey and balls for each football team taking part in the tournament were presented by the director.
Meanwhile, at the opening of the encounter, Wunato FC Academy defeated Vwang Central FC by a lone goal (1-0) to secure crucial three maximum points.