The appointment of sports administrator and former gubernatorial aspirant of Gombe State, as the new vice-chairman of Nigeria National League has been hailed by Mailantarki Care Football Academy, sports enthusiasts and well wishers, saying he is a round peg in a round hole.
Going by the release signed by club media officer, Adamu Usman Ahmed, the philanthropist was defined as an administrator who is globally known for grassroots football development.
Having gained recognition from football stakeholders in the FCT, Nigeria and Europe, he is also tagged Gombe State Pillar of Sports following his philanthropic exploits which saw him inspired his club to double victory in last year youth football campaign hosted by Norway and Denmark.
The statement reads: ‘Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki’s recent exploits in harnessing the potentials of youths through the Mailantarki Care Football Club, the idea that emanated from his passion of helping his people in actualize their respective dreams which is part of the missions designed in philanthropic services to his people under Mailantarki Care foundation. ‘
‘As philanthropist, Hon Mailantarki singlehandedly paid all expenses to those lads whom they travelled for the 2 major International Youth championship in Denmark and Norway and due to excellent preparation and overwhelming welfare, his debutant club won both tournament with a spectacular unbeaten performance hence setting a record in both tourneys that existed for over half of a century.
‘For an academy set up barely a year in 2022 and came up with an enormous achievements by gaining promotion to the Nigeria’s second tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL), emerged runners-up of the FCT Aiteo Cup and NLO Super 8 recently played in Lagos among others.
‘In the areas of players development, the club have so far has over 13 lads trading tackles in various clubs in Europe while over 25 others are currently undergoing or scheduled to undergo trial with clubs in Denmark, Spain, Malta, Russia and Norway, the feat that showed the NNPP Gombe Guber candidate is visionary in how he wants to see Gombe youths
in the future. Some of these players are already earning their wages in Dollars which would in a short while impact on the economy of the state when they start sending money home to cater for their relatives in the state.
‘If there is one striking point in how Mailantarki relates with the youths of Gombe in his academy and his quest to empower youth is his inclusive approach without minding which religion or ethnic origin of the youth;
‘To further proved this assertion is his remarkable role in discovering a young Usman Okanlawon a native of Ibadan who is a cone seller with a talent in table tennis game, in his usual philanthropic nature, he completely changed the boy’s story for good by sponsoring his day-to-day activities by relocating him to his base in Abuja, the young Okanlawon was exposed to the world of the game, today beside featuring in continental stage in Egypt, Morocco as one of the African finest he has made his name in the highest ranking of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) following his performance at the recent Youth Star Contender, World Youth Championship and WTT Youth Contender.’
‘Another bright discovery by Mailantarki who is set to hit the game by storm at global level is Nigeria’s finest in U-13, U-15 and U-19 categories Abdulbasit Abdulfatah from Kwara State alongside his compatriot another Mailantarki’s sponsored athlete, National Sports Festival gold medalist in table tennis Shukurat Aiyelabegan are expected to attain the feets of Usman Okanlawon who is currently in Portugal combining sports with education.
‘This is a litmus test that he would ensure equitable distribution of resources as well as build an all inclusive government where everyone would be recognised not by the background of their parents or connection but by the fact that they are citizens of the state. Inclusion, in any society is crucial for development to truly take root across the state especially in a uniquely diverse state like Gombe.
He received so many accolades of excellence for achieving these accomplishments so far from both National and International stage such as the Africa Illustrious Award, AFRILEP Award and Federal University Of Kashere Alumni Association Award,’ the release stated.
