The Kaduna State Government has said it was discussing with the Federal of International Football Association (FIFA) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials as well as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) members on the forthcoming Croc City 5-Aside Football For Peace League in the state.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Mr Idris Nyam, made this known while inaugurating the Local Organising Committee of the event on Tuesday.

Nyam disclosed that a member of FIFA’s Council, Isha Johansen, has confirmed her interest to partner and visit Kaduna State, in company of other FIFA, CAF, and NFF Executives.

The commissioner stated that the visit of the football executives will signify the kick-off of the League, adding that they will also visit major infrastructural, sports, educational, and urban development initiatives of the Kaduna State Government.

He said the officials will discuss “possibilities on partnership for other sports development interventions, including securing funding from the FIFA Foundation for investments into sports-related infrastructures, like the Kaduna Township Stadium and establishment of Sports Academies.”

Nyam added that the delegation will work out a partnership on developing and implementing the Kaduna State Sports Industry Policy as well as sponsorship of the Kada Queens Football Club, including the “FIFA For Schools Initiative which aims to impact 700 million children globally”.

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The commissioner further disclosed that the ministry has been making move to partner with Definitiv Media, a Kaduna-based media company with over 15 years experience in sports,  to host the  Croc City 5-Aside Football for Peace League, which will be the 2nd edition of the competition.

According to him, the first edition of the League was held from October 4 to November 14, 2021, at the Ahmed Musa Neighbourhood Centre, Kaduna, with 32 teams, 320 players participating, five referees, 64 match officials, an estimated 2,500 spectators and cash prizes worth N2,000,000 won.

Nyam, however, promised that the 2022 edition “is designed on a larger scale to include 150 participating teams across the three senatorial districts.”

Members of the LOC are the Commissioner for Sports Development, who is the chairman, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs as well as Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, including the Administrator of Kaduna Capital Territory Authority.

Other members include the Managing Director of Kaduna Markets Development and Management Company (KMDMC), Managing Director of Kaduna Line, Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Corps Marshall of KASTLEA, and Chairman of Definitiv Media, who is the Technical Lead of the event.

The Star