Idah To Host Attah Igala Unity Cup

The Chairman of Idah Local Government Area, Dr Musa Major has described sports as the best means for youth engagement and pledged his support and that of his colleagues to the successful staging of the Attah Igala Unity U16 Cup.

The Attah Igala U16 Boys Football Championship is organised to
commemorate the coronation of His Royal Majesty, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II and slated to take place in Idah from 21st – 27th April 2014 among nine Local Government Areas of the Eastern district of Kogi state.

The new Attah of Igala is HRM Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II ascended the throne of his fore fathers in February, 2013, after the demise of Attah Aliyu Ocheje Obaje.

Dr Major, who is head forum of Chairmen from Eastern zone of Kogi State, stated this in Idah when he received the Local Organising Committee, LOC, assured the organizers of a hitch free tournament stressed his administration’s resolve to engage youths through sports to reduce restiveness in the area.

The Idah LG boss while commending the trophy donor and organisers for softening his burden advocated for governments at all level to encourage sports in bid to reduce the increasing societal decadence and insecurity in the country.

Chairman of YSFON Kogi State chapter, Umar Nnda said the purpose of the Attah Igala Unity Cup was to discover talents and bring unity among youths in the Igala Kingdom.

Nnda said that the tournament’s trophy donated by Honourable, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbe Omebije, the Deputy speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly was to give the Attah Igala’s coronation commemoration a befitting celebration.

The National Vice President of YSFON, Honourable Mustapha Allah-Dey who spoke on behalf of the body, said the national body will supervise the competition and passed a vote of confidence on state chapter of YSFON to stage a hitch free tournament come next month.

He also noted that the body is interested to see the Attah Igala Unity Cup gain recognition at the national level as other notable tournaments for traditional rulers.

Preliminary round draws held at the meeting have hosts Idah, Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa and Omala in Group A, while in Group B are Ofu, Igalamela/Odolu, Ibaji and Olamaboro.

According to the Kogi State’s YSFON Publicity Secretary, Samuel Ahmadu, local organizing committee have agreed for participating teams to arrive Idah on Monday 21st April, while registration and screening takes place on Tuesday, and next up the opening matches of the football championship.

Members of the Local Organising Committee present at the meeting were Umar Nnda (Kogi YSFON Chairman), Hon. Mustapha Allah-dey (YSFON, National VP), Chief David Ehimony (YSFON, Deputy National Secretary), Samuel Ahmadu (Kogi YSFON, PRO), while among Sports Secretaries are Muhammed Usman (Igalamela), Harunna Abdulkadir (Bassa), Okoliko Egbunu (Dekina), Nelson Japhet (Ibaji), Ejeh Enemali Genesis (Idah), Adejoh Samuel (Ofu) and Charles Haruna (Ankpa).