Dan’amana Cup Sets New Standard for Grassroots Football in Katsina
The Dan’amana Cup football tournament has been described as a historic milestone in the development of grassroots sports in Katsina State, following its successful conclusion on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Speaking to Katsina Times, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Malam Ayuba Umar Gambarawa, said the competition was the first of its kind in the state, both in scale and impact, noting that it left a lasting legacy for youth development and community unity.
The tournament, which featured 64 teams from across Katsina State, attracted wide public and media attention from its opening matches to the final encounter between Gawo Professional and Durbi Strikers. According to the LOC chairman, all participating teams benefited from the competition, receiving footballs for training before the commencement of the tournament, with additional support provided after its conclusion.
Gambarawa disclosed that teams eliminated before the round of 16 were each given additional footballs, while the 16 teams that progressed further received quality jerseys. He added that teams finishing in first to fourth positions were rewarded with special prizes, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the state’s football history.
The tournament was sponsored by the Dan’amana of Katsina, Dr. Haruna Umar Maiwada, who, according to Gambarawa, funded the initiative personally in support of youth empowerment and sports development. He noted that the sponsor’s motivation was rooted in promoting the developmental agenda of the Katsina State Government under Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD.
Observers say the competition also played a key role in fostering unity among youths and strengthening public support for the state government, particularly during the well-attended final match, which drew a large crowd.
Gambarawa commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the tournament, stating that despite minor challenges, the successes far outweighed the difficulties. He urged other stakeholders and political actors to emulate the initiative by investing in programmes that directly benefit young people.
He congratulated the winning teams and encouraged those who did not progress far in the competition to remain committed, stressing that football, like life, involves both victory and defeat.
The Dan’amana Cup is being widely hailed as a model for future grassroots sports competitions in Katsina State.
