Sports

We Have Quality To Retains Abuja Veterans Tournament Trophy- Coach Patrick

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2022

Abuja Veterans Tournament defending champions of Abuja Veterans Tournament, Abuja All-Stars club, Technical Adviser Bassey Patrick has said that his team have all the needed ingredient to retain the title it won last year.

The second edition of the tournament kicked off over the weekend have 12 participating teams inside FIFA Goal Project Pitch Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja where team teams are slugging it out.

Speaking after they narrowly defeated USF FC 1-0 in the opening game of the invitational tourney Coach Bassey Patrick, saying that all-star club have all it take to win the trophy again, we have quality material and all the ingredient to emerge the winner.

Describing the match as a tough one saying they came with a determination to win because USF defeated them in the opening game of the first edition last year.

“It was a tough match for us because we played the opening game of the first edition with this same team (USF) and they defeated us. We know that they are a good team and we prepared very well for them.

“We came with the determination to win and we put everything in place and made sure we got the victory. We believe we will improve and play better in subsequent games and we want to take each game as it comes.”

Other matches of the day saw Nyanya All-Stars beat hard-fighting Unity Veterans by 2 goals to nothing, Corporate Kickers 2 Metro City 0 while Likeminds and Alieta All-Stars settled with 2 goals apiece.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

6 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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