Jafaru attends NPL draw, expresses optimism Nasarawa United’ll return to elite League
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, Honourable Jafaru Ango, on Tuesday, attended the draw ceremony for the commencement of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League Season held at the Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja.
Jafaru who was invited by the Board of the Nigeria Premier League headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, performed the task of picking one of the pots containing Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia who would later be paired against Niger Tornadoes FC in their opening league match.
The 2023/24 Nigeria Premier League will kick-off on Saturday, 9th September, 2023.
According to a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry Eche Amos, Ango gave the assurance in a Media briefly shortly after the draw ceremony.
The Commissioner commended the League Organisers for ensuring a transparent process, and hoped that the League standard would surpass previous seasons.
He thanked Chairman of the NPL Board, Gbenga Elegbeleye, for giving him the opportunity to participate in the draw ceremony.
Responding to questions surrounding the return of Nasarawa United Football Club to the elite domestic football league, Jafaru expressed optimism that the team would take its rightful place in the top-flight in no distant time.
“It’s unfortunate that the team was relegated. But we are doing everything possible to ensure that by this time next year, we should be back in the League.
“We will rejig the team, set the necessary modalities in place to achieve this task. It may be herculean, but not insurmountable.”
On the refurbishing of the Lafia City Stadium, the Commissioner assured that Government is leaving nothing to chance to ensure the facility wears a new look.
He also assured that the Nasarawa State Contingent for the forthcoming National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, would do the State proud as Government continues to deploy various mechanisms to inspire the athletes to podium appearance, revealing that his slogan for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is “Creativity and Excellence.”
