It is obvious that celebration comes after some level of achievement has been recorded or accomplished in any field of human endeavor.
And for sure it is important for one to take time and step back and recognize all the efforts that were made that led into achieving a big success.
In doing so, one must be specific about what was accomplished, how it made a contribution, and why it’s important.
If one looks at the sports sector of Kano state carefully and thoroughly, one must agree that a lot has been achieved and that led to the celebration of what had been achieved.
By celebrating Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s one-year in office, we are equally reinforcing and testifying that the governor has achieved a lot in the year under review, especially in the sports sector.
If the above statement is valid, then the celebration of the one-year anniversary for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is important and necessary. It is necessary and important because it will acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the governor to the development of the entire state throughout the period.
Just like there is transformation and development everywhere in the state, so we have development and progress in Kano’s sports.
Looking at the journey so far, one must appreciate the commitment of the governor towards sports development which resulted in the chain of laurels, trophies and victories that Kano won during the last 365 days of Governor Yusuf’s in office.
Even though the governor’s first year in office is crucially and challenging, it is highly celebrated in sports because it is a year full of achievements for Kano state’s sports.
We all know how difficult it was for the state’s sports a few years ago when our teams could not go far in any competition they featured.
Most of the time they cannot even register in the competitions and talk less of participating in some national competitions.
All these were now made history as our teams regularly participated in national competitions and even made surprises.
We also know how our darling team, Kano Pillars Football Club was relegated to the lower division of the Nigerian League due to neglect and poor leadership, this is also history.
Within these 365 days of Governor Abba Kabir Yusif, Kano Pillars bounced back to the premier league, a situation which soccer fans within and outside the state are celebrating and commending.
Similarly, in the year under review, Kano state participated in many national sports competitions and even made the state proud.
Kano state volleyball team did wonderfully well when it emerged the second runners up in the National Volleyball Premier League, thereby occupying the 3rd position on the league table.
Again Kano State athletes that participated in the 2nd National Para Games that took place in Abuja performed very well.
The state was placed third with 15 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 17 bronze medals. The state contingents came back home with over 44 medals.
For sure, our athletes’ brilliant show demonstrated their proficiency in their respective sports disciplines and displayed commendable performances throughout the competition all courtesy of Governor Yusuf’s efforts in sports development in Kano state.
Another brilliant display by the Kano Pillars Football Club was seen in Asaba, Delta state during the period under review when Pillars triumph in the Nigeria National League Super Eight competition.
Kano Pillars emerged the leaders in the Northern conference group which comprised Katsina, EFCC and DMD football teams which gave them the chance to qualify for the finals of the event.
Even with the 0-2 loss in the hands of Heartland FC of Owerri, both Kano Pillars, and Heartland qualified to the premier division of Nigeria which Pillars are now comfortably competing.
During the period under review, Tudun Wada FC of Kano state gets a 18 Seater Coastal Bus after emerging champions of the inaugural NLO Cup, sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and First Central Credit Bureau, after defeating Palm Syrup in a 9-goal thriller.
All these feats were recorded or achieved courtesy of Governor Yusuf’s immeasurable contribution to sports development in the state.
The appointment of a young and vibrant Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the commissioner of youth and sports development by the governor is also commendable as bookmakers are describing it as putting a right peg in a right hole.
The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has also planned to renovate the Sani Abacha Stadium and Kano Pillars Stadium as the governor has planned to build four additional stadiums outside the metropolitan area of the state.
It is my hope that the governor will continue to give sports the attention it deserves and necessary supervision so that those appointed to take charge will work according to the governor’s instruction.