Yakubu Sarma, Chairman, Gombe State Football Association (FA), says having two clubs from the state in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was a proof of abundant talents in the state.
Sarma said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Wednesday.
He said that football talents were one of the biggest potentials yet to be properly harnessed in the state.
The chairman said that the FA had prioritised grassroots football development aimed at harnessing the untapped talents in the state.
He said that the FA`s support for private sector investments and promotion of grassroots football competitions, had produced young talents in the state.
“We cannot discuss football in northern Nigeria without mentioning Gombe State; we have the talents, followership and passion for the game.
“Today, we are the only state in northern Nigeria with two premiership clubs; in the Nigeria National League (NNL), about six in Division one of the Nationwide League One (NLO) and about five or so in Division two.
“We have the talents here and most of them are yet to be properly harnessed through the right programmes and good investment in football,“he said.
He said that all newly inaugurated Local Football Council executives in the state, have being directed to come up with initiatives on grassroots football development.
“Football has a home in Gombe State and the FA in recognition of this is working to promote grassroots football development,” he said.
“It is imperative for stakeholders to invest more in football development.
“Government alone cannot do it and that’s why we are always encouraging the private sectors to come in and I assure them that the returns on investment is over 1000 per cent,” he said.
NAN reports that Gombe United Football Club and Doma United FC are currently featuring in the ongoing 2022/2023 NPFL.
