SPORTS, UNITY AND ECONOMIC VALUE TAKE CENTRE STAGE AS NORTHWEST VETERANS TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES IN KANO
H.E. Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo has highlighted the expanding influence of sports as a practical bridge for unity, youth engagement, and economic activation, noting that the sector continues to evolve into a structured contributor to national development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Northwest Veterans All-Star Renewed Hope Tournament held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kano, where he represented the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, he described the gathering as a convergence of experience, legacy, and shared sporting identity.
He noted that the event brought together former players, stakeholders, and supporters in an atmosphere defined by unity, discipline, and mutual respect across the sporting space.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, commended the organisers for sustaining a platform that reconnects veteran athletes with younger generations, describing it as a practical avenue for preserving sporting heritage while encouraging discipline, resilience, and positive engagement among youths.
H.E. Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo restated Kano State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the National Sports Commission and relevant stakeholders in expanding sports development and unlocking wider opportunities for young people across the region.
Earlier at the courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor’s Office, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, explained that the Commission was established to reposition sports as a structured national asset capable of driving employment, attracting investment, and strengthening internal security through youth engagement.
He noted that the restructuring of the sports sector was aimed at reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and placing professionals at the centre of sports administration, adding that sports is now being driven as both an economic and developmental instrument.
According to him, Nigerian athletes recorded over 373 international medals within two quarters of 2025, while the sector generated about 140,000 jobs in the third quarter alone. In the last quarter, the figure rose to over 240,000 jobs, alongside more than $50 billion in private sector investment within the sports ecosystem.
He further urged states across the Northwest to strengthen grassroots sports development and improve participation in national competitions, noting that several talents from the region are now being represented by other states due to weak local support systems.
He also emphasized that sports remains one of the strongest platforms for social harmony, youth engagement, and peaceful coexistence, reinforcing teamwork and shared purpose across communities. It also featured a symbolic exchange of goodwill.
Highlights of the event include presentation of sporting items including a tracksuit and a football jersey to H.E. Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo by the delegation in recognition of Kano State’s support for sports development.
In a reciprocal gesture, H.E. Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo returned the courtesy with a gift, reflecting mutual respect and the spirit of sporting collaboration between both sides.
The event drew participants and stakeholders from across the Northwest and formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen synergy between federal and state institutions in repositioning sports as a tool for development.