2019 Federation Cup Finals will be memorable, FA chairman says
Shareef Kassimu, Chairman of Kaduna State Football Association (FA), on Saturday said plans have been concluded to host a memorable and hitch-free 2019 edition of the Aiteo Cup finals on Wednesday.
Kassimu said at a briefing in Kaduna that the finals which would hold at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna was guaranteed to be unforgettable.
“It is no longer news that Kaduna has been picked to host final of the oldest football competition in Nigeria in both the male and female categories.
“But you need to know that we are more than ready to host the event, because it is first of all a great honour and privilege to be recognised and asked to host.
“So, I want to graciously thank the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick for the giant strides in developing football at all levels in the country.
“Let me assure everyone travelling from far and near that Kaduna is safe and ready to host the best-ever Aiteo Cup finals.
“This is in terms of adequate and effective security, crowd control and other logistics, so as to ensure a hitch-free event, before, during and after the matches,” he said.
The Kaduna State FA Chairman disclosed that his Association had two days earlier written to the state Commissioner of Police requesting for a certain number of policemen.
“I’m happy to inform you that our request has been granted as 90 Policeman will be on ground on Wednesday.
“In addition to that, we have also made arrangements for the personnel of the Civil Defence, the Civilian JTF and the FA security unit, as we expect a capacity crowd at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium for the finals,’’ he said.
Kassimu, who was recently re-elected for a four-year term, also confirmed the news that Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna have picked Kaduna as temporary home ground.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minna-based clubside recently picked Kaduna as venue for their home matches in the upcoming 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup competition.
“I can confirm that Niger Tornadoes will play their CAF Confederation Cup home matches in Kaduna and at the Ahmadu Bello stadium to be precise.
“We have received an official letter from the NFF to that effect and some officials of Niger Tornadoes visited our Secretariat last week in Kaduna to also communicate same.
“Kaduna has certainly come alive again, with interesting football activities lined up,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Niger Tornadoes FC arrived in Kaduna on Friday, five days ahead of the Aiteo Cup men’s competition final match.
The team was expected to have three training sessions at the Kaduna Township Stadium between Friday and Monday, with their final session on Tuesday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
NAN reports that the 2019 Aiteo Cup Finals will see the Nasarawa Amazons FC of Lafia facing Rivers Angels FC of Port Harcourt at 1 p.m. in the women’s competition final.
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Kano Pillars FC will take on Niger Tornadoes FC in the men’s final at 4 p.m.(NAN)