The pioneer chairman, Gombe State Sports Commission and former Commissioner of Youth Empowerment, Malam Farouk Yarma has donated football kits worth N500,000 to the Gombe State Football Association.
The items which include a giant trophy, football jerseys, boots as well as gold and silver medals were donated to the State FA and handed out to winners and runners up in the just concluded Gombe State League One.
There were also individual prizes of two pairs of boots for the Highest Goalscorer and Best Player in the league. The Best Goalkeeper was also awarded with a new pair of hand gloves.
The former General Coordinator and board member of Gombe United football club had made the pledge during the draws of the 2021 State League One.
Although his initial pledge was in the range of N250,000, he eventually doubled it as the worth of the sporting equipment he donated went up to N500,000.
In a chat with Daily Trust, the proprietor of FC Yarmalight said the gesture is to encourage football development in the state.
He said as a genuine stakeholder in sports, he considers it his responsibility to continue to support the growth of sports even as he is not holding political office in the state.
“I am an ardent supporter of grassroots sports. What I have just done is nothing new. I am used to it and I hope to continue.
“There is wisdom in giving our support even when we are not holding political office. In the past, maybe some people felt I was doing those things because I was in office. Now, they know better.
“Sports, particularly football has impacted positively on my life so it is my own way of giving back for the good of the sector,” he said.
