The Chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Yakubu Sarma, has said plans are in top gear to organise a cadet football league for youths in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Gombe yesterday, the football administrator said the proposed competition would target youths who are U-19 in the 24 constituencies of the state.
According to him, the preparation has already started as the association is seeking willing partners in the area of funding to see to the success of the competition.
Sarma also disclosed that the competition is tentatively fixed for July to September this year.
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He added that during the competitions, the participants would be lectured on the dangers inherent in drug abuse.
The chairman said that the initiative would help the state FA to harness the huge football talents in the state as a means to empower them.
“We are passionate about using football to unlock the doors for discovering budding talents and serve as a catalyst for the development of the local league.
“We would also use the opportunity to talk to the youths to stay off hard drugs,” he said.
Sarma disclosed further that there were ongoing discussions between the FA and some international scouts and agents for periodic scouting programmes in the state.
He said through such initiatives, some of the talented footballers would be scouted by top clubs in Europe.
