Delta, Kwara win MASM football tourney

Kwara and Delta states, on Saturday, won the second edition of Madam Muslimot Abegbe Sanusi Memorial (MASM) Cup.

The football tournament was kicked off penultimate Saturday at the main bowl of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran.

The tournament, organised for U-17 female teams and U-14 male teams by Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Oyo State chapter, was sponsored by Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, in honour of his mother, Madam Muslimot Abegbe Sanusi, who died 11 years ago.

In the final matches played at the main bowl of Ilaji Stadium, Delta State picked up their impressive form from last by walloping Oyo State by three goals to one.

Kwara State, on the order hand, won the male category of the tourney after they defeated Edo State by four goals to one.

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Chief Sanusi, who was represented by his father, Alhaji Ganiyu Sanusi, presented cash prizes to the winners, the runners-up as well as the first runners-up.

In his address, Chief Sanusi urged government at various levels to prioritise funding of sports at the cadet level as a way of drawing youths away from social vices.

He advised the young footballers to be diligent and committed to their career.

Meanwhile, a former Flying Eagles star, Samson Elijah, has commended Chief Dotun Sanusi for his contributions to the development of football in particular and sports in general in Nigeria.

Elijah, the Technical Director of Kwara Football Academy, whose team participated in the tournament, praised Chief Sanusi for his commitment to youth and sports development and the socio-economic advancement of not only Oyo State but Nigeria as a whole.

Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony included YSFON national and state officials, Alhaji Ganiyu Sanusi, father of Chief Dotun Sanusi and Chief Nurudeen Akinade.