The 40th edition of the Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed U-16 Boys’ Football Tournament officially kicked off on Saturday at the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State, with colour, fanfare — and a heavy downpour that could not dampen the spirit of competition.
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The opening match saw Kwara State U-16 boys spoil the host’s party with a convincing 4–2 win. Tobi Adeoye opened scoring for Kwara before Nasarawa’s Abubakar Usman levelled matters. However, Mubarak Jimoh’s brace and Uthman Tajudeen’s strike ensured that Aliyu Adamu’s late goal for the hosts was only a consolation.
The Ramat Cup, held annually in honour of the late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed — assassinated on February 13, 1976 — has been a platform for discovering grassroots football talents since its inception in 1977. This year’s edition has drawn teams from across Nigeria.
In Group A, Nasarawa State are paired with Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto States. group B feature FCT Abuja, Gombe, Benue, Group C has Ondo, Kebbi, and Bauchi, while Group D consist of Enugu, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Borno States, while additional late arrivals are to be paired by the organisers.
Speaking at the ceremony, YSFON National Technical Director, Abdulgafar Agboola, promised a hitch-free and historic tournament, commending Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Nasarawa State Government for hosting the event. Nasarawa State YSFON Chairman, Suleiman Usman Bako, expressed pride at hosting the landmark edition, praising stakeholders and describing sports as “one of the major unifying factors in our society.”
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Among the dignitaries at the opening ceremony were former Kano State Deputy Governor and YSFON National President, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna (represented by Justice [Rtd] Habibu Idris), Yakubu Ahmed Ubangari PhD (DG Nasarawa State Bureau), Hajia Safiya Muhammad (YSFON National Financial Secretary), Segun Akeusola, Sulieman Usman Ubangari, and Ahmed Abdullah.
The one-week tournament will climax on August 16, with only two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
