By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
The Kano State Government has described sports as an emerging instrument for national unity, youth engagement and economic growth, saying the sector is gradually becoming a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Sule Garo, stated this on Friday during the closing ceremony of the North-West Veterans All-Star Renewed Hope Tournament held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium.
Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event, Garo said the tournament successfully brought together former footballers, sports stakeholders and supporters from across the North-West region in an atmosphere of unity, discipline and mutual respect.
He noted that the competition served as a platform for reconnecting veteran athletes with younger generations while preserving sporting heritage and promoting positive values among youths.
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“The event has brought together former players, stakeholders and supporters in an atmosphere defined by unity, discipline and mutual respect,” he said.
Garo commended the organisers for sustaining the initiative, stressing that sports remained one of the strongest platforms for peaceful coexistence and constructive youth engagement.
According to him, the Kano State Government is ready to deepen collaboration with the National Sports Commission and other relevant stakeholders to expand sports development and create wider opportunities for youths across the region.
Earlier during a courtesy visit to the deputy governor’s office, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the commission was repositioning sports as a structured national asset capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening internal security through youth engagement.
He explained that ongoing reforms in the sector were aimed at reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensuring that professionals drive sports administration in the country.
“Sports is now being driven as both an economic and developmental instrument,” Dikko stated.
He disclosed that Nigerian athletes won more than 373 international medals within two quarters of 2025, while the sports sector generated about 140,000 jobs in the third quarter alone.
According to him, the figure later increased to over 240,000 jobs in the last quarter, alongside more than $50 billion in private sector investments within the sports ecosystem.
Dikko also urged North-West states to strengthen grassroots sports development and improve participation in national competitions, lamenting that many talented athletes from the region now represent other states due to weak local support systems.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of sporting items such as tracksuits and football jerseys to the deputy governor in recognition of Kano State’s support for sports development.
Garo also presented gifts to members of the delegation in what organisers described as a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening collaboration between federal and state institutions in sports development.
The tournament attracted participants and sports stakeholders from across the North-West as part of ongoing efforts to reposition sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and economic advancement.