In preparation for the annual Higher Institutions’ Football League, HiFL, the students of the Federal University of Lafia under the auspices of Students Representative Council, has called on the state government for support.
During a visit to the state’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Director of Sports and 400 Level student of Philosophy, Solomon Emeka, who led the students congratulated the Permanent Secretary, Barr Isaac Danladi on his appointment.
He said the visit was aimed at strengthening the bond between the student-athletes and the ministry.
Emeka revealed that the University did well at the last edition of the HiFL in 2022, including producing two players that currently ply their football trade in Malaysia and Qatar, but are planning to do better in the forthcoming competition.
He solicited the assistance of the Ministry in areas of importance to enable them have a hitch-free competition, explaining that they are currently planning to embark on a Preseason tour to play some friendly matches to keep them fit for the main Competition scheduled to kick-off in the last quarter of 2023.
The Students’ Representative Council’s Director of Sports eulogised the capacity and competence of the Permanent Secretary in the advancement of youth and sports in the State and the country at large, adding that they would be grateful to benefit from the avalanche opportunities that come through the Permanent Secretary and the Ministry.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, appreciated the delegation for coming to felicitate with him and identifying with the Ministry.
He said he placed high premium on sports as it formed a larger part of his service to humanity.
Danladi who disclosed that he was an all-round sports person during his University days acknowledged the value HiFL adds to the football pursuit of a student and the society as a whole, urging them to commit themselves to it.
The Permanent Secretary reiterated that Governor Abdullahi Sule has deep love for sports and sports people, hence his huge investment in the sector in line with his administration’s mantra, and promised to convince the Government to lend necessary supports to the University to fly high at the Competition.
He added that the Ministry would equally see areas it can be of support to the Institution by co-opting some of its exceptional sports talents into the State’s teams for more value addition.
The foremost sports administrator, however, admonished the students to take their academic pursuit seriously while engaging in sporting activities.