Mashi Selected over the weekend defeated hard-fighting Musa Haro Academy to emerge champions of this year’s former President Muhammdu Buhari (PMB) Unity Cup for amateur football clubs in the Daura Senatorial Zone in Katsina State.
After a scoreless draw in regulation time, the finals which was graced by former President Buhari was decided on penalty shootout and the Mashi Selected boys kept their nerves to win 4-2.
Meanwhile, at the end of the match, the former President honoured the Chairman of Katsina State Football Association and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Balele Kurfi ‘Dan Arewa’, with an award of excellence for his enormous contributions to grassroots sports development in the state.
The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat who is representing Dutsinma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State was instrumental to the renovation of the Daura Township Stadium and also sponsored so many grassroots competitions in the state.
In his reaction to the honour bestowed on him, Kurfi promised to attract influential men and women to sponsor different competitions in Katsina State.
“I thank Almighty Allah who made it possible for us to see this day. We have taken some months holding these games. Today, everyone has seen that we have come to the end peacefully. This is a big achievement.
“We thank His Excellency, former president, Muhammadu Buhari, for his presence at this event.
“The business of sports is a good business anywhere in the world. We want to empower our youths so that they would have something to do to avoid idleness.
“I’m assuring you that because of this, we will continue to organise competitions here in Katsina. We will sustain the PMB Unity Cup, Governor’s Cup and Emir’s Cup,” said Kurfi.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Alhaji Sani Daura, commended the over 50 clubs that took part in the tournament for their show of sportsmanship.
He promised to maintain the momentum by making the next edition of the tournament bigger and better.
Apart from former President Buhari, other dignitaries like the state Commissioner of Sports, Yusufu Rabiu, represented the Katsina State Governor, and the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika also attended.
Also in attendance were the Danburam Daura, Alhaji Daha Umar; Talban Daura, Alhaji Yusuf Buhari, and Danmadamin Daura, Alhaji Musa Haro who represented the Daura Emirate Council.
