By: Shehu Suleiman Sharfadi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has organised a novelty football match involving former footballers from the North-West geopolitical zone as part of efforts to promote unity and youth development through sports.
Chairman of the commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the NSC delegation to the Kano State Government. The delegation was received on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo.
Speaking during the visit, the deputy governor expressed appreciation to the commission for choosing Kano as host of the event and assured the delegation of the state government’s support and cooperation.
“We are delighted with this initiative and grateful to the commission for bringing the event to Kano State,” Garo said.
Dikko explained that the visit was also aimed at congratulating the deputy governor on his emergence as Kano’s deputy governor.
He said the match, tagged “North-West Veterans All Stars Renewed Hope Novelty Football Match 2026,” was organised to promote football as a platform for youth empowerment and economic growth.
According to him, sports, particularly football, have become a major source of employment and an important contributor to national development.
He added that the commission organised the event in support of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and noted that participants were drawn from the seven states of the North-West region.
Following the courtesy visit, the deputy governor led the delegation to the Late General Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano where the novelty match took place.
Addressing participants shortly after the match, Garo described football as a unifying force capable of bringing people together across ethnic and regional divides.
He said the game promotes friendship, peaceful coexistence and provides opportunities for improving the lives of young people.
