OPSH kicks off unity football tourney in Jos | Tellwell Newspaper
From Giwa Alex, Jos
The Major-General Ibrahim S Ali Peace and Unity Football Tournament 2022, organized by Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, has kicked off in Jos.
Delivering his opening remarks at the kick-off at Rwang Pam Township Stadium on Saturday, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Jos, who doubles as the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali, disclosed that the tournament was significant in the peace-building process towards ensuring lasting peace on the plateau and in all the local government areas within OPSH Joint Operation Area.
He noted that the essence of the tournament was to use sports as a unifying tool to emphasize the benefits of peaceful coexistence, unity and teamwork.
Represented by the Deputy Commander OPSH, DCP Mohammad Rabiu, the commander described football as a universal sport that bonds people of diverse ethnic, cultural, political and religious affiliations together. He promised to do everything possible to ensure successes recorded in the peace building efforts are not reversed.
Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Navy and member representing Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Yusuf Gadi, in his remarks, applauded Operation SAFE HAVEN for improving the security of Plateau state and other areas within its jurisdiction.
He maintained that the tournament would help to unite youths of diverse religious, cultural and political backgrounds. He also pledged to continually support any initiative of OPSH designed to sustain peaceful coexistence in the state.
The climax of the ceremony was the ceremonial football match between the 2021 Champions, Barkin-Ladi Boys and Zango Kataf FC.
