By Ladi Emmanuel


Former Governor of Plateau State Senator Jonah David Jang, has appealed to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to complete the various stadia his administration started constructing in the 17 local government areas of the state to help discover hidden talents in football.


Jang made the appeal at the weekend in Jos, at the Rwang-Pam township stadium during the kick-off, of the first ever peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, organised by Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represents Plateau North senatorial district at the National Assembly.


According to Jang, if completed, sporting events at local government areas shall engage youths in more profiting ventures, rather than being redundant.


Jang who Senator Istifanus Gyang succeeded commended him for the initiative and good representation at the National Assembly


Similarly, captain of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa, in his address at the football tournament, reiterated the need for the completion of the ongoing Zaria road stadium in Jos, which has the capability of hosting international football matches.


New Telegraph report that the Zaria road stadium project began about three decades ago, but is yet to be completed to international standard.


The Super Eagles captain explained that the Zaria road stadium, when completed, shall attract huge economic benefits to the state, because international matches could be played due to the beautiful weather of Jos.


Ahmed Musa revealed plans to build an international standard sporting centre in Plateau state, should the government volunteer land for him; he pleaded with the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase to ask Governor Simon Lalong to grant him the request.


Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase who served as the Special Guest of honour of the kick off tournament commended Senator ID Gyang for organising the peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, said it will foster unity in the entire state.


Wase tasked National Assembly members to take a queue from the initiative of Senator Gyang.


The deputy speaker also made various financial donations  to the winners of the football competition, charged participants to be peaceful.


On his part Senator representing Plateau North and organiser of Plateau North peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament, Senator Istifanus Gyang, in a speech said, the gesture is to re-unite his constituents for harmonious living.


According  Gyang, the on-going football tournament is part of his campaign manifesto of prioritizing the rebuilding of Peace and return of harmonious coexistence of Plateau North which is a constituency that has been fractured by discord, acrimony, animosity and became an axis of violence.


He said the tournament shall also help football managers discover football talents that Nigeria might need to engage in future.


"The tournament is a platform for the youth to showcase talents hitherto unnoticed and unspotted for want of opportunity. This discovery will facilitate their grooming and development to prepare and equip them to become future stars in professional football both locally and internationally".


24 teams out of 73 teams who played at the preliminary stages from six (6) local government areas of the senatorial district qualified for the on-going football competition.


Most former international football players who hail from Plateau state were present at the kick-off, and staged a 30 minutes exhibition match.