BY OUR REPORTER
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has honoured the state’s women’s football team, Nasarawa Amazons, following their triumph in the 2025 Women’s President Federation Cup, rewarding the players and officials with cash gifts, a coaster bus and other incentives.
The reception at the Government House, Lafia, also saw the governor extend financial support to Nasarawa United, the club’s feeder team and the Nasarawa State Football Association in recognition of their performances during the 2025/26 football season.
A statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Eche Amos, and made available to THE NIGERIA STANDARD Sports Desk said the governor congratulated the Amazons for defeating Heartland Queens 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to win the Women’s President Federation Cup at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.
According to the statement, Governor Sule donated a 38-seater coaster bus to Nasarawa Amazons and another to Nasarawa United, while also making a personal cash donation of $1,000 each to the competition’s Most Valuable Player, Hembafan Ayatsea, her teammates and the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, Udoka Unachukwu.
He also presented $500 each to the remaining 34 players of the team.
The governor further announced a state government donation of N25 million to the team’s 36 registered players, N15 million to the management and technical crew and N5 million to the supporters’ club.
In addition, he donated N10 million to Nasarawa United after the club finished sixth in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season and reached the semi-finals of the President Federation Cup.
He also approved N10 million for the club’s feeder team and additional support for the Nasarawa State Football Association, while presenting $500 to the Director of Media, Nasarawa United and Head of Public Relations, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Eche Amos, for what he described as exemplary professionalism, consistency and patriotic reportage of sporting activities in the state.
“I thank you for making us all proud. You are, indeed, the pride of Nasarawa State. The reason I love sports is because sport is the only activity you do that doesn’t consider differences; yours is to play and win. I hate to hear, read or even see people dwelling on religion and ethnicity. In fact, I can’t stand such myopic thinking because it kills my spirit.
“If you look at the composition of Nasarawa Amazons and Nasarawa United, some of you are not from the state, but you are here making us proud, representing the interests of the state, which is what I love seeing.
“While on a brief holiday in the United States of America, I followed every one of your games, getting updates from the clubs’ official WhatsApp platforms, and I congratulate the Most Valuable Player of the competition, Hembafan Ayatsea, and the Best Goalkeeper, Udoka Unachukwu. You are both my best friends,” Governor Sule said.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Nasarawa State Football Association, traditional rulers and other government officials towards the team’s success.
He approved the immediate allocation of suitable hostel accommodation for players and officials of Nasarawa Amazons as well as the procurement of an official vehicle for the team’s Technical Adviser, Christopher Danjuma.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, who led the delegation, commended the governor for his sustained investment in sports infrastructure and athletes’ welfare, describing the gesture as evidence of the administration’s commitment to developing a thriving sports economy for both men and women.
Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons, Hussaina Suleiman, who jointly presented the Federation Cup trophy and medals with the team’s captain, thanked the governor for his unwavering support and also presented the 2025 Governor Douye Diri Women’s Pre-Season Football Tournament trophy won by the club.