The Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development through sports, particularly football. He made this known on Wednesday at the Government House, Katsina, while playing host to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who led a delegation on a condolence visit over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umaru Barebari, recently. Radda, while emphasising the importance of sports in his administration’s agenda, noted, “Developing sports was part of my agenda to engage the youths, hence the setting up of the academy.” The governor, who also expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, stressed, “I am delighted with the progress recorded by the academy as many of our youths are going on trials in foreign clubs and participating in many global tournaments. “This is a long-term investment. We shall start seeing the results in the future. We are committed to producing stars that will represent the country in World Cup tournaments,” the governor emphasised. He thanked the NFF delegation for their visit and acknowledged that it was though, “primarily to condole him on the death of his dear mother,” nonetheless, he expressed hope that “the U-20 team currently in camp in the state would be supported so that they go ahead and win the cup at the global event”. In his remarks, Musa Gusau commended Governor Radda for his sports agenda, particularly the establishment of a football academy. Gusau further reiterated his support and commitment to supporting Katsina state in developing its standard of soccer, even as he described it as “heartwarming to see Katsina State footballers participating in global tournaments, a good start for the state.” The NFF President also thanked the governor for his support to the U-20 team currently in the Katsina camp and condoled with him on his mother’s passing, just as he prayed, “may Allah grant her Jannatul Firdausi.”