One Year of Transforming Nasarawa State Football: Chairman Usman Salisu Galadima’s Milestones
Usman Salisu Galadima’s emergence as Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association on November 4th, 2023, marked the beginning of a transformative era for football in the state. With a clear focus, he overcame initial distractions and embarked on consultations with stakeholders across the 13 local governments to form a united football body.
Galadima’s vision was to uplift football in Nasarawa State, and he started by visiting the Executive Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, to present his administration’s blueprint. This move demonstrated his commitment to collaboration and transparency.
One of Galadima’s notable achievements was returning Nasarawa United to the elite league after their relegation in 2022. Additionally, his pet project, FC Basira, secured a spot in the second tier of Nigerian football and won the NLO/Afriskaut Championship.
Key Achievements:
Promotion of Nasarawa United and FC Basira: Galadima successfully promoted Nasarawa United back to the NPFL and FC Basira to the NNL.
Governor’s Cup Revival: After a 15-year absence, Galadima reinstated the Governor’s Cup, which will now be played annually.
Referees’ Support: He supported referees’ registration with ₦1,000,000 for the 2023/24 season.
Grassroots Development: Galadima employed backroom staff, supported grassroots tournaments, and provided kits for stadium stewards and ball boys.
Other Notable Initiatives:
Live Streaming: Galadima introduced live streaming for FA tournaments, attracting over 10,000 viewers.
Team Expansion: He brought in more teams to participate in the NLO, including Wan Agara, Si14, and Uke FC.
Coaching Education: Galadima supported coaching education in Karu LGA, training 70 coaches.
Player Welfare: He prioritized player welfare, traveling with Nasarawa State teams to ensure their needs were met.
Galadima’s mentorship has benefited several players, including Sunusi Ibrahim (CF Montreal), Galadima Mohammed (Nasarawa United), and Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa State), the current top scorer in the NPFL with 9 goals from 10 games.
As a native of Kwandare in Nasarawa State, Galadima brings over a decade of football administration experience to the table. His revolutionary approach has transformed football in Nasarawa State, and the future looks bright under his leadership.
Galadima’s collaborative efforts with security agencies have also helped eliminate hooliganism from football. His legacy continues to grow, with two players from the Governor’s Cup earning spots in the Super Eagles’ CHAN preparations.
The first sports award night in Nasarawa State’s history was another milestone under Galadima’s leadership, celebrating the achievements of football stakeholders.
In conclusion, Usman Salisu Galadima’s tenure as Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association has been a resounding success, marked by significant achievements and innovative initiatives.
