The magnificent Muhammadu Dikko Stadium is the venue as the maiden edition of the Prestigious Governor Aminu Bello Masari Pre-season tournament is set to lit-up the ancient city of Katsina following the long absence of competitive football in the state due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament which is expected to feature eight or more football clubs from different states across the country is organised by top football administrators in conjuction with Katsina State Sports Ministry under the Honourable commissioner, Sani Aliyu Danlami.

The honourable Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development have set up a Five-man organising committee that is chaired by the highly experienced Katsina United Team Manager, Alhaji Kabiru Sambo.

Speaking about the tournament, the Chairman organizing commitee of Governor Masari Pre-season Tournament said

“I think, this is a very good development and an opportunity for Katsina State to showcase to Nigerians that the Executive governor is a diehard lover of the round leather game.

“Upon notifying the governor through the ministry of sports about this tournament, he immediately gave us the go ahead and promise to surport the tournament both financially and morally. Said Kabiru Sambo

The astute football administrator went further to emphasise on the role of the five-man committee set up by the Ministry to see to the successful organisation of the first ever pre-season tournament in Katsina State.

“Having gotten the approval to stage the tournament from the Governor, tge Commisioner has set up five-man committee to be chaired by my humble self with four other key members with the sound knowledge of the game.

“The major role of this committee is to ensure a well organised and crisis free tournament. The commitee have already swung into action as they have started contacting the shortlisted teams to participate in the excitement packed maiden edition of Governor Aminu Bello Masari Pre-season Tournament and the response have been encouraging. He clarified 

“Teams that have been contacted according to the organising committee thus far are: Katsina United FC, Jigawa Golden Stars, Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Sokoto United of Sokoto, Junior Damburam of Daura, Gombe United of Gombe State, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Rara FC and more.

The chairman said “the tournament is going to be organised in accordance with the stipulated procedures outlined by the Covid-19 Presidential Task, NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. We will make sure all the teams abide by all Protocos by the stipulated by the NCDC. Sambo posited

The tournament is to run from 29th October till 7th November and all the exciting games are to be staged at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

The Organizing Committee are:

Kabiru Sambo – Chairman

Adeleke Abdulganiyu – General Coordinator 

Saleh Yusuf – Technical Director

Aminu Musa – Secretary 

Wale Oye – Media Director