The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman of the Adamu Yola Unity Cup Promise Uwaeme, has commended the doggedness of teams that made it through to the quarter final stage of the current edition of the tournament holding in Gombe state.
Uwaeme, gave the commendation at the presentation to honour teams that qualified for the last eight, held at the Jewel Hotel Conference Hall, Kaltungo.
Uwaeme, while congratulating the eight teams on behalf of the foundation said, “our plan every year is to get the competition bigger every now and then. Last year, we were able to give jerseys to the last four but this year, we are not going to the market to buy because of the partnership we entered with the Siyako foundation.”
Speaking at the presentation, Chief Operating Officer COO of the Adamu Yola Foundation Mr. Alpha Shilong said:
“Thank God that we are all from Tangle Waja. Adamu Yola is not a new name. If you don’t know the person, you must have heard the name somewhere. The foundation is a continuation of the legacy of our late father and grandfather Sir. Adamu Yola Ture which he began before his demise. His children came together to continue with the good deeds he has been doing and that is why they came up with this good idea.”
He highlighted the major cardinal focus of the foundation including:
“Education: where we provide teachers training, we organize competition among schools, provide furniture, uniforms and of course scholarships which me major on because we understand the value of education which not everyone can afford to sponsor their wards.
“Sports: in sports, it is one of the major areas where we can support the youths, investing in the younger generation of Nigeria to showcase their talent, improve them by giving them a better life and a sustainable way of living. We believe that the youths are the backbone of the nation. Like this year, we organized a 3 day Basketball Clinic in Gombe, for the 6 North Eastern states and it is one of its kind because it has never taken place in Gombe. It was wonderful because we have seen the impact, the motivation. When you go to the stadium and other places, you’ll see those that took part in the clinic wearing our jerseys and playing basketball,hoping that next time they’re going to feature in this clinic.
“Health: in health, we organize outreaches to village communities who cannot afford to come to the city so we go with out team of doctors to provide them with medical care and drugs. and
“Entrepreneurship: is one of the areas we concentrate on to provide trade and skills for our youths. In summery, this is what the foundation is all about.” Shilong said.
Representative of Siyako Foundation Mr. Barbuwa J. Kalla, gave reason for partnering with Adamu Yola Foundation.
“I’ll like to congrats the 8 teams that made it to the quarter finals. You’ve done well and have really added colour to the tournament. Six out the eight teams are coming into the tournament for the first time. A first timer in the competition emerged champions last time, who knows what will happen this time around?”
“The spirit of sportsmanship is coming together, which is the main aim of the tournament. So, when we saw the organization of the 5th edition, it was smooth and gave a good impression so the Siyako Foundation saw wisdom to come and partner with Adamu Yola Foundation in our own little way, starting with eight sets of jerseys to the last 8 teams in the tournament now and then we will see you to improve further next time.”
Kalla, also listed areas Siyako Foundation is focusing on to include education, sports, care for the widows and orphans.
“All thanks to Adamu Yola Foundation for organizing the tournament well, else we wouldn’t have been able to come and see and then also partner with them. Each and everyone of us want to partner something good. So, kudos to the organizers of this tournament. I hope that in subsequent editions we will partner more with Adamu Yola Foundation for the betterment of Gombe South.”
The LOC Chairman, also announced the sum of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira as prize money for the eventual champions before the presentation of jerseys were made by the COO Adamu Yola Foundation Mr. Alpha Shilong and his counterpart Mr. Barbuwa J. Kalla representative of Siyako Foundation.
