NFF PRESIDENT IM Gusau handed over the hosting rights of 2025 edition of Gusau/Ahlan Pre Season to Nasarawa State.
By Lurwanu Idris Malikawa Garu
Gusau in a short but lively ceremony held at the Lafia Township stadium handed over the hosting flag, which is the symbol of the hosting rights confirming Nassarawa state as the next host state.
Gusau said awarding the hosting rights of the most prestigious pre season soccer tournament tagged ‘Gusau/Ahlan cup) to Nasarawa State Government is a decision made by the Organizing Committee , adding that the verdict was inspired by the commitments of Governor Abdullahi Sule towards promoting sports particularly football in Nasarawa State and the Nation at large.
Gusau disclosed that the tournament will be played in Lafia , prior to the commencement of 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season
In his remakrs , shortly after he received the hosting flag , Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule thanked the Organizing Committee for their choice of Nasarawa State as the official host of the next edition of the tournament.
Governor Sule assured Nigerians that his government will provide the necessary logistics for the successful hosting of the tournament.
He reaffirmed that his administration is resolute in its support towards any initiative that would develop sports activities in the state and country as a whole.
On his part the Coordinator of the tournament Alhaji Abahurarai Dahiru , who gave a narative on the rich history recorded by the brand within a short span , after it’s inaugural edition, said the tournament was initiated to appreciate the commitments of the NFF president and his board member in the persons of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON and Alhaji Sharif Rabi’u Inuwa Ahlan respectively.
He said the duo have invested massively in projecting the round leather game in the country.
Abahurarai said sixteen football teams that takes part in the tournament annually are drawn from NPFL and NNL leagues and would be expected to go to soccer war in next year’s tournament .
Dignitaries that accompanied NFF president to the event , includes NFF board members and State Football Association chairmen.
It would be recalled that 2024 edition of the Gusau/Ahlan Pre Season Soccer tournament was hosted by Plateau State government in Jos , Lobi Stars football club of Makurdi were crowned as Champions after beating Wikki Tourist football club of Bauchi 4-3 via Penalty shootout after they played 1 – 1 .at the end regulation time.
