By Our Correspondent

The president of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah and Nigerian sportsmen and women on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In his Sallah message to all the state chapters, members and friends of the foremost grassroots sports body in the country, Gawuna urged Nigerian youths to keep their spirits up in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the deadly virus, which caught the world off guard, has put a damper on what would otherwise have been a time of celebration for the Muslim faithful.

Gawuna, who also doubles as Deputy Governor of Kano State, enjoined the Muslims to embark on low key celebration and maintain proper hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap and running water, use sanitizers, as well as observe social distancing as a way of fighting the deadly virus.

He assured that YSFON numerous programmes will bounce back after COVID-19 scourge to avail the opportunities to develop their talents, saying with concerted efforts they would be gainfully employed and crime will be reduced to its barest minimum.

Gawuna appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to support YSFON in its quest to return the country to the leading role it played in world youth football in the 80s and 90s.

He also appealed to sportsmen and women whose means of livelihood were badly affected by the prolonged lockdown on sporting activities as part of measures to curtail the global pandemic for their understanding and cooperation with government.