By Ado Salisu
Herwagana Primary School has emerged champions of the Inter-Primary School Football Competition organised to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hassan Central Primary School, Gombe.
The thrilling final, held at the Pantami Township Stadium, saw Herwagana defeat hosts Hassan Central Primary School 4–3 on penalties after a keenly contested match.
The tournament brought together pupils from several primary schools across the Gombe metropolis and formed part of activities marking the centenary celebration of Hassan Central Primary School, one of the oldest and most prestigious primary schools in Gombe State.
The competition was organised by the Chairman of the Gombe Grassroots Movement, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, to celebrate the school’s century-long contribution to education and community development.
Speaking after the final, Gara said the tournament was designed to promote sportsmanship, unity and healthy competition among pupils while celebrating Hassan Central Primary School’s 100 years of academic excellence and service to society.
He explained that the football competition, alongside athletics events, was organised to commemorate the school’s centenary and encourage the holistic development of young learners through sports.
According to him, other activities lined up for the celebration include a public lecture at Gombe State University on the history and contributions of Hassan Central Primary School, a grand reunion of former pupils and teachers at the school premises, and the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals who have contributed to the institution’s growth.
Gara commended members of the organising committee for their dedication and expressed appreciation to invited guests, teachers, pupils, parents and supporters for contributing to the success of the event.
He emphasised that sports remain a vital tool for promoting discipline, teamwork, friendship and peaceful coexistence among young people, adding that grassroots competitions provide opportunities to identify and nurture future football talents.
In their separate remarks, the Deputy Chairman of Gombe Local Government, Alhaji Saifullahi Auwal, and the Deputy Chairman of Gombe South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Dalhatu Boderi, praised Gara for the initiative.
They described the competition as a worthwhile investment in young people, noting that sporting activities strengthen unity, encourage social interaction and foster peaceful coexistence among pupils from different communities.
The officials also assured the organisers of continued support for programmes aimed at promoting education and grassroots sports development in Gombe State.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary of Gombe Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba, urged schools across the state to participate actively in similar competitions.
He said such programmes provide a platform for discovering talented young athletes who could go on to represent the state and the country in future sporting events.
Baba commended the organisers for the successful hosting of the tournament and encouraged school administrators to continue promoting sports alongside academics to ensure the all-round development of pupils.
The centenary celebration of Hassan Central Primary School is expected to attract former pupils, educationists, government officials and other stakeholders from within and outside Gombe State to celebrate the institution’s 100 years of excellence in education and its enduring contribution to human capital development.
