By Tony Ademodi

Dream Boys Football Cub of Bayelsa State, and Future Stars FC of Aba emerged champions of the U-18 and U-16 Football Tournament, organized by the Youth Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Abia State Chapter.

The two days football tournament organized by YSFON in partnership with Right to Win Football Academy, was held at the Ubakala Mini Stadium, for the knockout rounds while the Ibeku High School Field, Umuahia hosted the finals.

In the finals of the U-16 boys category, Future Football Club of Aba, defeated New Generation FC of Umuahia 1-0, while the Dream Boys FC of Bayelsa State beat New Generation FC to lift the U-18 boys category trophy

The commissioner for Sports & Youth Development, Abia State, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba who was the Special Guest at the event, alongside his wife, thanked the organizers for putting up a good grassroots football programme for the youths.

“This is very commendable, as this is the first grassroot football tournament I have attended since assuming office as commissioner in the ministry of sports and youth development, and the young talents I’ve seen here, gives the state hope and believe that truly the future looks bright for our athletes”

Sir Ananaba, also charged the football teams and their players that participated In the tournament, to ensure that they continue to work hard, to ensure that they maintain their status in the round leather game, while also assuring them of Governor Alex Otti’s desire, in encouraging and promoting grassroot sports at all levels.

“Its very clear here that Abia State is blessed with abundant talents in sports, because the players seen here are very young and will perform better in the nearest future, and I assure you all that Governor Alex Otti’s administration will bring the needed change in sports development, as we would continue to encourage laudable ideas and programmes that would take Abia state sports to the next level across all board”

High point of the event was the presentation of medal awards and cash prizes to winning team and runner up, with staff members from the ministry of Sports and youth development in attendance, including the director in charge of the ministry, Dr. Temple Nwosu, coaches of Abia Comets Fc and other grassroot coaches and footballers.