By Ado Salisu
Sports has been described as a key factor that unites various ethnic groups as well as project the image of a country.
The Branch manager of Nestle Milo in charge of Northwest, Mr Dayo Adekoya stated this during the final of the Under-13 Milo championship held at Ahmad Musa Sports Arena, Kano.
He explained that his company has been making positive contributions to societal development especially in the area of sponsorship and organizing of various sports events in both primary and secondary schools for boys and girls aimed at discovering hidden talented players as well as distance teeming younger generation from social vices in communities across the country.
According to him, the Under-13 soccer championship is in collaboration with former Super Eagles captain Ahmad Musa as part of an agreement to revive schools sports programme and at the same time encourage and support pupils to showcase their talents.
The Branch manager pledged that the outfit will continue to organize the championship annually with a view to actualise the set objectives.
While commending the people of Kano and all those who have contributed in one way or the other towards the success of the tournament, he assured that Nestle Milo will continue to do its best for the overall development of sports in the country.
During the final, Khamis Football Academy emerged winner of the maiden edition of the championship after beating B.S. Academy 8-4 in an interesting match.
The winner went home with one million Naira, runner up with N500,000 while the third place winner smiled home with N200,000.
It would be recalled that the former Super Eagles captain Ahmad Musa had supported the tournament with his personal donations of one million to the winner, runner up N500,000 while the third place position N300,000.
Speaking shortly after the match, the proprietor of Khamis Football Academy, Khamis Imam, expressed satisfaction with the performance of his boys, assuring that the club management will continue to do their best towards producing skillful and talented young players for future state, national and international engagements.
Imam then called on private organisations and wealthy individuals to complement government efforts in this direction.
Highlights of the event include presentation of various prizes of best defender, best player, highest goal scorer among others.
