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By Abbas Gungura, Bauchi
Hassla Football club of Bauchi has emerged winner of the 2022 maiden edition of Peace and Unity Bauchi FA football competition after beating Gana FC of Azare 7-6 on penalties after 2-2 of full-time play.
The final match was played Saturday at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
Abdulrasheed Tanimu, wearing jersey No 10 who is also captain of Gana FC skilfully registered the opening goal for his team at 24 minute of play.
Hassla put more efforts to equalize but met stiff resistance by the defence of the Azare Boys. The first stanza of the match ended 1- 0 in favor of Gana FC.
On resumption into the second half, the first move after the kick off put smiles on the faces of Hassla supporters when Abdulmalik Haladu equalized for his team 46 minute into the game.
At 75 minute Hassla Boys increased the tally through Samson Johnson while Sale Lawal of Gana leveled scores at 85 minute. At regulation time, the match ended 2-2.
The winner of the competition was decided through penalty kicks where Hassla scored all 5 goals while Gana scored 4, bringing the total scores of match to 7-6 in favour of Hassla FC Bauchi.
In his address while presenting the trophy and cash donation of N250,000 to the winning team Hassla fc Bauchi and N150,000 to the 2nd position team, Gana FC, the chairman Bauchi State Football Association Mr Pascal Patrick, congratulated the winning teams and appreciate the role played by all the 66 teams that participated in the competition across the state.
He said the purpose of organizing the competition has achieved it objectives as it succeeded in building peace and unity among youths across the 20 LGA’s in the state.
Pascal commended the LOC for successful hosting the 66 teams in two centers of Bauchi and Katagum from the start to the end that produced the first, second and third positions.
Also speaking during the colourful closing ceremony of the competition, the chairman of the Local organizing committee, Alhaji Abubakar Audu Maiauduga, started by appreciating the Bauchi FA under the good leadership of Mr Pascal Patrick for finding him and other members worthy of this responsibility.
Maiauduga further commend Bauchi FA for initiating the first peace and unity football competition that attracted over 66 teams across the state with over one million youths supporters of various teams that watched the matches from the two zones Bauchi and Katagum from day one to the final.
While appreciating the cooperation and support rendered the LOC by officials of all the teams,spectators,players and of course the match officials, Maiauduga proudly inform Bauchi State government that football and sports generally is a political weapon towards achieving peace and unity regardless of tribe,region or religion.
“The first edition of this tournament attested to this as during the games no Bauchi no Katagum all we know is football and the peace and Unity of good people of the state”, he said.
He, therefore appealed to Bauchi State government to encourage Bauchi FA in organizing much youths competitions in the best interest of the state by sponsoring or bankrolling it activities.
