Date: 2019-07-16

Kwara and Delta State on Saturday won the second Madam Muslimot Abegbe Sanusi Memorial Cup for U-14 boys and U-17 girls respectively.

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

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

In the final matches played at the main-bowl of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, champions Delta beat Oyo 3-1, proving that winning the first edition of the tournament last year was not a fluke.

Kwara won the male category when they mauled Edo 4-1.

Chief Sanusi, who was absent but represented by his dad, Alhaji Ganiyu Sanusi, gave cash prizes to the winners, runners-up as well as the second runners-up.

In his address, Chief Sanusi urged government at various levels not to toy with the funding of sports at the cadet level, adding that it is through proper funding of sports that the country's youths would be drawn away from social vices.

He tasked the young footballers to be diligent and committed to their chosen profession, saying that it is the only way they can make their dreams realised.

Meanwhile, former Flying Eagles star, Samuel Elijah, has heaped praises on Chief Sanusi for his humongous contributions to the development of football in particular and sports in general in Nigeria.

Elijah, the Technical Director of Kwara Football Academy, whose teams participated in the tournament, lauded Chief Sanusi for his vision, which according to him would not only contribute immensely to the sports and youths development in his state, but also to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Among the dignitaries in attendance at the final ceremony include YSFON national and state officials, Alhaji Ganiyu Sanusi, father of Chief Sanusi; Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade, the Chairman of 2019 Ibadan Week, Security Chiefs, and a host of others.