Nasarawa State Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Usman Galadima has stated that he is thrilled with the progress made by clubs in the state after he oversaw the qualification of both Basira FC and Nasarawa United to the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Premier Football League respectively.
Nasarawa United got demoted to the lower league last season before their qualification back to the elite division at the ongoing NNL Super 8 where they topped their group with nine points from three games and through to the Thursday’s final where they will face Beyond Limits.
While Basira FC after languishing in the Nigeria Nationwide League One for several seasons got it right a few days ago beating Family Worship Club FC of Abuja on penalties to scale through to the NNL.
Galadima in a cross section with the members of the press in Enugu shortly after Nasarawa United confirmed its place back to the NPFL by topping the Northern Conference, shared with the press plans of his administration to ensure the state gets quality representation in Nigerian Football including ensuring that continental football returns to Lafia.
“The entire people of Nasarawa State are happy with the performance of Nasarawa United today against Sporting Supreme of Abuja,” Galadima said in quotes got by dasportstainment247.com.
“The Nasarawa State Governor is a sports-loving Governor, whenever we take any sports-related issue to his table, he treats them as an emergency, so we must appreciate him for the wonderful support his administration has been giving to the sporting and all other sectors”.
“If we don’t go back to Nasarawa State with the NNL coveted title then it means our aims are not fully achieved.
“Qualification is key then bringing something that will further give room for more celebration will be like the icing on the cake”.
On his biggest achievement as the FA Chairman, Galadima pointed out that Nasarawa United’s return to the premier league would be his best achievement as of now.
“Yes, I can call the return of Nasarawa United to the premier league my biggest achievement as the Chairman of Nasarawa State Football Association, when I visited the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule with my board members, I assured him that by God’s grace, Nasarawa United will pick the NPFL ticket on their first try and now God has made it a reality.”
On what made the return of the team possible aside from the support of the Executive Governor of the State, Salisu Galadima revealed that the understanding amongst the key stakeholders played a major role.
“The Synergy between the FA, The Ministry and the Management of Nasarawa United was key in returning Nasarawa United to the NPFL and trust me we will make sure that the team reinforces so as not to play to remain in the league only but to play continental football in the season after, he concluded.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Nasarawa United, Prof. Othman Ibrahim Ahmed thanked the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule for the continual support and he also expressed his joy at the professionalism of his players and officials of the Solid Miners.
