ZHUL-QI’DA 25, 1429 A.H.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2008
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Befitting reception for Pillars soon --Kano dep gov
By ADO SALISU
KANO state government has pledged to organise a befitting reception for both victorious Kano Pillars Basketball Team and Pillars Football Club for their wonderful performance in the domestic league and West African region, just as the government gives the basketball team a token gift of N.5million.
The state deputy governor, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo made the pledge yesterday while receiving the victorious Kano Pillars Basketball Team at the just-concluded FIBA Africa Zone 3 Club Championship qualifier, having emerged overall winners in Lagos.
Engr. Gwarzo said that the state government is planning to organise a befitting reception very soon for keeping the state and country’s high profile as far as basketball and football was concerned.
He said that the victory of both the basketball team and their football counterparts was an indication of the present administration’s keen interest and total support to the sporting sector.
The deputy governor further explained that the state government will continue to identify itself with all those who have done the state proud within and outside the country.
‘’Honestly speaking your performance was highly commendable and the state government is proud of you and therefore, players and officials deserve to be honoured,’’ Engr. Gwarzo explained.
He, however, called on wealthy individuals and corporate bodies in the state to supplement the state government’s gesture by contributing their quota towards the upliftment of sporting activities in the state and the country in general.
The deputy governor charged the players and coaches to redouble their efforts to ensure that the team excel in Tunisia and called on the people of the state to continue to pray for their success.
He said that both Pillars basketball team and Pillars Football club need more prayers for successful outings in the confederation championships.
Earlier, the state commissioner of information, sports and culture, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi had thanked the state government for its total support and urged it to keep it up.
Dederi said that without the state government’s support, nothing meaningful could be achieved as far as sporting activities are concerned in the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the peformance of the team and assured them that the state government would do everything possible to see their comfort while inTunisia.
In his response, the captain of the basketball team, Ahmad DanMama thanked the state government for its unflinching support and pledged that they will do everything possible to see that the team emerge among the best in Tunisia.
During the occasion, Barr. Dederi presented the two trophies won by the team to the state deputy governor.
