Gara-Gombe leads appointment of 15 coordinators for statewide Emir’s Cup Competition

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe has led the appointment of coordinators across 15 emirates, chiefdoms and traditional councils in Gombe State as preparations intensify for the forthcoming statewide Emir’s Cup football competition aimed at promoting grassroots talent discovery and community unity.

The appointments, carried out by the Royal Organising Committee during an inauguration ceremony held at the Medical and Health Workers Union Secretariat located in Federal Low Cost area of Gombe following a successful trophy tour across the emirates, chiefdoms and traditional councils in the state.

The inauguration however formed part of strategic steps to ensure effective coordination of teams and activities across the participating traditional institutions ahead of the tournament’s preliminary matches.

Gara-Gombe, presided over the event alongside the Vice Chairman, Auwal Umar, and other members of the organising team.

According to the committee, the tournament is designed to promote peace, unity and grassroots football development while discovering emerging talents from communities across the state.

The newly appointed coordinators and their assigned traditional institutions include: Umar Garba Kenya for Nafada Emirate; Aliyu Lamid for Funakaye Emirate; Muhammad Musa Baba for Akko Emirate; Ibrahim Mohammed Suleiman for Kaltungo Traditional Council; Malam Hashimu Ibrahim for Gombe Emirate; Salisu Shuaibu Umar for Dadiya Traditional Council; Ibrahim Manzo for Pindiga Emirate.

Others are Sani Babayo for Tula Traditional Council; Malam Hassan Bebeto for Gona Emirate; Abubakar Magaji for Dukku Emirate; Sharu Garba Sidi for Yamaltu Emirate; Kudemcy Abubakar for Deba Emirate; Babawuro Mohammed for Cham Chiefdom; Jamilu Rabiu for Tangale Chiefdom; and Ibrahim Yahaya Sambo for Waja Chiefdom.

The committee explained that the coordinators emerged through a transparent ballot process in which each participant selected the emirate, chiefdom or traditional council they would supervise during the competition.

They were tasked with working closely with football teams in their respective jurisdictions, ensuring that participating teams understand and comply with the rules and regulations guiding the tournament.

Meanwhile, the organising committee has designated four centres for the preliminary stages of the competition. These include Bajoga, Deba, Gombe Metropolis and Kaltungo.

The next activities on the committee’s schedule include the official draw for participating teams as well as a training programme for referees on the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology during the tournament.

Speaking at the inauguration, Gara-Gombe urged the coordinators to demonstrate professionalism and fairness in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He warned that strict adherence to the competition’s guidelines is mandatory, stressing that any coordinator found violating the rules would be immediately removed from the role.