The North Central Zonal Finals of the National Principals Cup, kicked off today, 20th of March, 2021, in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, with four states from the North Central Zone in attendance.
Saka Akeem, Zonal Coordinator, North Central, Federal Ministry of Sports, while addressing participating states and teams, said the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, decided to revive the moribund Principal’s Cup to unearth talents from the grassroots.
Saka reiterated that school sports have being the source of talents for the country, and this led the Minister to put all machinery on ground to ensure that the Principal’s is brought back.
Speaking to journalists, the Zonal Coordinator, Saka Akeem, said the competition became imperative as, “The national athletes are aging and there is no need to start looking for foreign athletes. The only way out for the country, is to go back to secondary schools, this will give the children the opportunity to exhibit their sporting talents and make a career out of it”.
He gave assurances that the competition will be sustained as it will hold annually. He went further to use the opportunity to appeal to the officiating officials to be fair as their actions could make or mar the event.
Four states, Plateau, FCT, Kwara and Kogi will be participating in the two day event. Some of the sports to be competed in include football, table tennis and athletics. Two venues will be used in Jos the Plateau state capital, The Rwang Pam Stadium and The New Jos Stadium on Zaria Road.