…Moves to boost grassroots sports, discover talents for national, international competitions
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has announced a N50 million financial donation to youth groups across the state while distributing sporting equipment to strengthen grassroots sports development.
The intervention, which covered all the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, is aimed at encouraging youth participation in sports, discovering emerging talents and creating opportunities for young athletes to excel at national and international competitions.
Governor Idris announced the donation during the distribution of sports equipment at the FIFA Goal Project, Goru, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The sporting materials distributed included jerseys and equipment for football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, handball, field and track events, among other sporting activities.
The items are intended for youth centres, sports clubs and associations across the state to improve sporting activities at the grassroots.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout of youths at the event, describing their presence as evidence of their confidence in his administration.
He explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen grassroots sports, identify promising athletes and provide them with the necessary support to represent Kebbi State and Nigeria in sporting competitions.
Idris further disclosed that the N50 million donation would cover transportation and feeding expenses for youths who participated in the distribution exercise.
He added that his administration had earlier approved approximately N80 million to support sporting activities involving both male and female athletes.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, stressing that investing in sports remains an important strategy for engaging young people positively and creating opportunities for their development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Nura Bala Fingilla, described the distribution as another demonstration of the government’s commitment to youth development and the promotion of sporting excellence.
He noted that sports play a critical role in building discipline, promoting unity and developing good character among young people, while keeping them away from idleness, drug abuse and other social vices.
Fingilla commended Governor Idris for his various youth-focused initiatives, including empowerment programmes, educational support, financial assistance to sports clubs and investment in sporting infrastructure.
He urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the equipment and ensure their adequate maintenance, emphasising that the government’s investment should translate into the discovery and development of outstanding athletes capable of representing Kebbi State and Nigeria at national and international competitions.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the intervention would strengthen sporting activities across the 21 local government areas and open new opportunities for talented young people in the state.
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