By Amaechi Agbo
The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, today, Friday, granted express approval for the immediate construction of five mini sports complexes across the State.
The Governor made the pronouncement at the grand finale of the first edition of the Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation Grassroots Football Tournament organized to celebrate the 53rd birthday anniversary of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Shuaibu Magaji Labaran (Matawallen Toto) at the Pilot Primary School Football Pitch, Toto, Toto Local Government Area of the State.
According to the Governor, the five mini sports complexes will be situated in Toto, Keffi, Kokona, Wamba and Doma Local Government Areas respectively, in fulfillment of his earlier promise, and part of his administration’s commitment to talent discovery and sports development.
“Looking at the condition of this pitch, but yet both teams were able to display exceptional talent, I know if we give them the Lafia City Stadium, they would do far better.
“I feel bad about the pitch’s condition, and seeing how passionate you people are about football, it will definitely be a shame if we don’t have a mini stadium here in Toto.
“Even though I will be travelling next week, but by Monday, I will approve the contract for the construction of five new mini sports stadia, in Toto, Garaku(Kokona), Doma, Wamba, and Keffi Local Government Areas respectively.
“These are mini stadia that we have already lined up, but we didn’t have the resources to start them. But today, the people of Toto Local Government Area, with the multitude of spectators here, have forced the resources out of us, and we shall go into our savings and bring out the needed resources because of Toto and the SSG, Shuaibu Magaji Labaran, for what he has done.
“By the time we finished constructing the stadia, by the time we don’t have the kind of crowd we need to support Nasarawa United FC, in Lafia, we will turn over to the Toto Mini Sports Stadium for support because you have shown that you love football, you also love us, and we equally love you too”, the Governor remarked.
Sule, while congratulating Labaran Shuaibu Magaji on the occasion of his 53rd birthday celebration, expressed gratitude to those who ensured the success of the tournament.
He made a personal donation of Ten Million Naira(N10,000,000.00), comprising Five Million Naira(N5,000,000.00) to Elephants FC who emerged champions of the football tournament, while defeated finalists, Ugya United FC received Three Million Naira(N3,000,000.00). The match officials and Organizing Committee Members of the tournament received One Million Naira(N1,000,000.00) each.
After regulation time ended in a goalless draw, Elephants FC won 4-2 via penalty shootouts against Ugya United, and eventually crowned champions.
Earlier, Talba United defeated Kuru United 1-0 to clinch the third place playoff.
The tournament began on 12th June, 2026, featuring twelve teams drawn from the Electoral Wards of the Toto Local Government Area.
Highlights of the event were presentations of an Award of Excellence to Governor Abdullahi Sule, trophies, medals, balls, cash prizes, and other consolation prizes to teams, players and officials by the organizers, while the celebrant issued scholarship grants to students, provided empowerment funds to three thousand beneficiaries, as he also led the Governor to commission the Divisional Police Station in the Local Government Area’s Headquarters he renovated.
