By Amaechi Agbo

Abuja Municipal Area Council Team 2, Friday emerged champions of the FCT Football Association’s Inaugural U-15 football championship, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

AMAC Team 2 defeated their fellow brothers AMAC Team 1 one-zero to emerge champions in the final played at the Area3 Play Ground.

A total of 8 teams including Area Councils such Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, AMAC Teams 1 & 2, Abaji, Kwali and a private academy, Fosla participated in the championship which is aimed at discovering talents for the upcoming 2019 National Youth Games in Kwara State.

In the third place match played between Abaji and Gwagwalada same day, Abaji came from a goal down to triumph against their opponents 2-1 to emerge third best team in the maiden edition of the championship.

Speaking after the match, the FCT FA Chairman, Adam Mouktar Mohammed said that the purpose of organising the championship is primarily to keep to the FA’s resolve to develop grassroots football in the FCT as well as harness the discovered talents ahead of September 7 commencement date of the National Youth Games, NYG.

Mr Mohammed who was represented by the 1^st Vice Chairman, Kolo Salisu, added that the players who distinguished themselves in the championship and were selected for the NYG will start camping immediately ahead of the Games.

“The championship was a huge success and we commend the organising committee for a job well done.

“The championship is in line with our resolve to develop football at the grassroots level. Aside that, the championship also served as a recruitment base for us to select the players that will represent the FCT at the forthcoming National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State. it will serve same base for future NYG as well because we will make sure we hold it months before the kick off date of the NYG.

“The selected players will soon be called to camp ahead of the games because if you look at the NYG, it will start on the 7^th of September that is an indication that we are behind schedule,” he said.

On his part, the national U-15 coach, Haruna Ilerika Usman said that some players were exceptional in the championship and commended the FCT FA for organising the tournament.

Mr Usman who is also the secretary of the FCT FA Board said that the FA would sustain the championship to make it an annual ritual.

“Some players were exceptional and from our own desk, we noted few names that we might invite to the Future Eagles which is the U-15 national team. This championship, you will agree with me, is the first of its kind and I commend the FA for this great job.

“Apart from being a recruitment background for the National Youth Games football event, it also serves as a mechanism to keep the children busy during this long vacation.

“I can assure you that this championship is going to be a yearly ritual. There is no question about sustainability because activities like this is what the FA is meant to do,” he said.