Attah Igala Cup: Attah Igala makes case for Grassroots Talents Development

His Royal Majesty Micheal Ameh Oboni has appealed to government at all level to show more interest in development of grassroots sports and youth engagement citing that sports remains the bedrock to national unity of any society.
The Attah of Igala Kingdom, pointed out that Nigeria is capable of discovery another Pelé if youths were engaged in football activities while receiving the donation of a gigantic trophy at his palace in Idah for the organising of an annual football championship tagged “Attah Micheal Ameh Oboni’s Cup” presented by the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly by Honorable Surveyor Emmanuel Omebije.
Attah Oboni, the President of Kogi State Traditional Council when commending the trophy donor for his contribution to encourage youths noted that abandon Football talents can develop to becoming professional players in Europe.
“I’m delighted with the donation by the Deputy Speaker and commend his efforts- this for sure will help us in Kogi-East discover another Pelé and engage the youths to reduce societal vices – as a former footballer, i believe platform like this will boost unity,” says the
leader of one of the largest ethnic group in the North-central, Nigeria.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly by Honorable Surveyor Emmanuel Omebije said the motivation behind the trophy donation was in quest to establish platform to discover football talents and engaging all youths.
While recalling talents turned professional stars in Europe produced by previous tournament, the Legislator representing constituency noted that the Attah Micheal Ameh Oboni’s U-14 Cup will produce more potential professional footballers.
“I’m happy doing this for my people – it’s my dream to engage all the youths in activities like sports – we have done it before and now want more professional football stars to be produced – I’m people-driven and not politics because service to my people remains my top priority,” the Kogi Assembly top-legislator said.
Similarly, the Kogi State Assembly member representing Idah Constituency, Honorable Haruna Idoko has commended the leading example shown by the trophy donor, Honorable Emmanuel Omebije in encouraging grassroot development and engaging the youths via sports.
“We are happy to have him (Honorable Omebije) – the donation of trophy is a wonderful contribution and commendable service to the youths development in Igala land – we are behind him and will encourage him to do more so that talents who will represent the national team can be produced in Kogi-East,” the sport-enthusiastic Kogi State Assembly legislator posited.
Meanwhile, Mallam Nda Umar, the Chairman, Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria, (YSFON) , Kogi State Chapter and Chairman Organising Committee has stated that plans are in pipeline to roll out programmes for the Attah Micheal Ameh Oboni’s U-14 Cup and looks forward to the successful staging of the tournament in the Kogi East.
“We are already holding meetings with the various stakeholders in the nine local government areas in Kogi East and chairmen, legislators including the donor in view to come out soon with detailed programme for the competition,” the YSFON Public Relation Officer, Samuel
Ahmadu, quoted him as saying.
The Attah Micheal Ameh Oboni’s U-14 Cup for Kogi-East after the first-edition is expected to be an annual tournament with increasing view of making it a nation-wide event in years to come.
Present at the trophy presentation were Hon. Suv, Emmanuel Omebije-Deputy Speaker of Kogi State Assembly; Hon. Haruna Idoko- member of Kogi Assembly for Idah Constituency; Hon. Mustafa Allah-Dey – Vice President North Central, YSFON; Alhaji Adams Yahaya, Kogi FA Chairman; Kogi Mallam Nda Umar Kogi Chairman, YSFON; Sunday Ekele,
Secretary, Kogi Beach Soccer; Referees, football officials and stakeholders in Kogi-East.