Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has received an international sports award in the United Kingdom in recognition of his support and commitment to sports development in Kano State.
The award was presented to the Governor on Saturday at the Feel Good Too, Ive Farm Sports Arena, located at Pavilion Walk in London.
Governor Yusuf was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Youth and Sports, Sani Musa Danja, who received the award on his behalf.
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Presenting the award, Moses Andishu, patron of W.O. Sports and National Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), said the recognition was intended to acknowledge Governor Yusuf’s efforts towards the development of sports in Kano.
Andishu said the award was also aimed at encouraging the Governor to sustain his support for the state’s sports sector.
“This is our token way of saying kudos to Mr Governor, and our aim is to encourage him to do more for the growth of the industry,” he said.
He said the organisers had taken note of developments in Kano Pillars Football Club and the activities of the Kano State Sports Commission, adding that the state’s sports teams had continued to honour national invitations to major competitions.
According to him, investments in the renovation and upgrading of sporting facilities across Kano also demonstrated the administration’s attention to sports infrastructure.
“We are very much aware of the plans by the Governor, who is investing massively in the area of the provision of infrastructure. Likewise, we have seen investments made to renovate and upgrade major sports facilities in the state,” Andishu said.
He urged the Kano State Government to sustain its investment in sports and continue providing opportunities for athletes to develop their talents.
Receiving the award on behalf of Governor Yusuf, Danja expressed appreciation to the organisers and said the Governor remained committed to youth and sports development.
“His Excellency does not joke with anything that has to do with the development of the youths and he has always assured that he will always do everything possible to support the growth of Kano youths,” Danja said.
He said he received the award with humility and honour on behalf of the Governor, describing it as recognition of the administration’s commitment to sports development.
Danja added that Governor Yusuf’s agenda was to ensure that Kano athletes had the facilities and other necessary support to compete successfully at national and international levels.
He assured that sports development would remain an important component of the administration’s Kano First Agenda, while reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting young people and developing sports in the state.