The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umar Sarki has commended Kwara State Football Association for championing football development, especially at the grassroots.
While receiving the Chairman of the FA, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi (Thuraya) in his palace, the traditional ruler said that the effort of the FA is a relief for the youth in the area, who has suffered serious neglect over the years.
“We are lucky to have one of us from this part, Thuraya, as Chairman of the FA, and that is encouraging our youth, who are plying their sports trade in neighbouring countries of Benin Republic and Togo, because they don’t have sense of belonging, and the enabling atmosphere to flourish and flower here’, he said.
‘We have been cut off the state sports policy in the past, and that had undermined our achievements in sports, especially in the 80s, when we had the best hockey team around.
The monarch, who has registered a team from Yashikira for the forthcoming State League in the state, added that they will present one of the best teams for the competition.
‘We the traditional rulers are ready to rally round and support the new trend, and we hope it will bring back the lost glory in our communities.
Alhaji Sarki said that because of the awareness in sports then, the Local Government planned to construct a mini stadium at Kosubosu, stressing that the project has been abandoned, as there is presently no good pitch to train in the area.
While describing sports as a unifying factor, the Emir also called for encouragement from governments at all level, for the engagement and empowerment of the youth.
