YSFON U-16 Boys’ Ramat Cup thrills Sam Elijah, others

Former Junior international, Sam Elijah and coaches Bashiru Hassan, Akinola Olatunji and Babangida Issa have commended organisers of the on-going 37th YSFON U-16 Boys Ramat Cup at the Mahaha playfield Kano, saying the competition has lived up to its reputation of producing big stars for the country.

Elijah, a member of Saudi 1989 U-20 World Cup team and currently YSFON Kwara State Academicals Team Director, said as a product of youth programmes, he was happy that Kano State Government had been consistent in sponsoring the championship for the past 10 years, noting that the tournament had helped in taking youths away from crime and social vices.

Elijah advised the players to maintain their level of discipline throughout the weeklong championship, promising that his state would improve on their third position in 2018 and win the tournament this year.

Also speaking on the event, Akinola Olatunji, who is the leader of the Oyo State team, appealed to the sponsors not to relent on the good work they are doing in grassroots sports development through the Ramat Cup.

Bashiru Hassan of Sokoto State, who is also the Zonal Secretary, North West, praised the turn out of teams at this year’s tournament, noting that the standard and quality of the teams had improved tremendously compared to years past.

Team leader of Kebbi State, Babangida Issa, who doubles as the state’s YSFON Secretary, was happy that many youths have through the championship played for the various national teams, while some are doing well in Europe. He also commended Kano State Government for its consistency in sponsoring the competition.

Meanwhile, in some of the matches played in the tournament, Kwara drew 1-1 with Kaduna in the opening match, while Osun and Taraba played goalless, Rivers defeated the host state, Kano 3-1, Oyo and Bauchi settled for a 1-1 draw, while Ekiti defeated Sokoto 2-0 on day two