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By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Executive Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Hon. Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Jibril Alheri has sponsored two promising players from the Abu Dhabi Football Academy, formerly known as John Utaka Football Academy (JUFA), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of his commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots sports development.
The beneficiaries, Usman Abubakar, popularly known as Pato, and Mohammed Nazir, are among the five academy players sponsored by the President, and the two will travel to Dubai on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The president has fully funded their airline tickets, providing young players the opportunity to gain international exposure and further develop their football careers.
The initiative is also part of Alheri’s efforts to give back to his roots and create meaningful opportunities for the youth of Chanchaga Local Government Area.
Speaking on the sponsorship, Alheri said his administration recognizes the potential of young people and remains committed to supporting initiatives that can transform their talents into sustainable opportunities.
“Our young people are talented and full of potential. What they need is the right support and the opportunity to show what they can do. Supporting these young footballers is our modest contribution to giving them a platform to grow and pursue their dreams.”
He added that investing in grassroots sports was also an investment in the future of the community.
“When we invest in our young people, we are investing in the future of Chanchaga. I want these young people to take this opportunity seriously, continue to be disciplined and continue to work hard because opportunities of this nature can open important doors for their careers.”
Alheri further charged the players to see themselves as ambassadors of Chanchaga and make the most of the exposure.
“They will go to Dubai with the support of their community. I hope they demonstrate discipline, humility and commitment, while using the experience to improve and inspire other young talents.”
Also speaking was the vice president of the Abu Dhabi Football Academy, Usman Abubakar Chata, who expressed his gratitude to the Chanchaga president for his support and commitment to the development of young players.
Chata described sponsorship as an important intervention that would boost the confidence of beneficiaries and provide them with valuable international exposure.
He thanked Alheri for investing in the players and supporting grassroots football, and emphasized that such gestures could make a significant difference in the careers of young footballers.
The sponsorship underlines the importance of grassroots investment in football development, particularly in creating pathways for young players to gain international exposure and advance their careers.
For Abubakar and Nazir, the trip to Dubai represents another important step in their football journey and an opportunity to demonstrate their potential beyond grassroots level.
