Ahmad Hamisu Gwale
Nasarawa Local Government Area has won the 2026 edition of the Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope Cup, sponsored by Dauda Kahutu Rarara, after defeating Kano Municipal in a penalty shootout.
The Independent Mirror reports that the final match, played on Sunday in Kano, ended 1-1 after regulation time, before Nasarawa LGA secured a 3-2 victory in the penalty shootout to emerge champions.
The final attracted several dignitaries, including the Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo; Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Imam Shuaibu Ogan Boye; and the tournament sponsor, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, among others.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Rarara said the tournament was organised to provide opportunities for young people and encourage them to stay away from drug abuse and other social vices.
He commended the organisers for their efforts and assured participants that the tournament would continue in subsequent editions.
Rarara also announced cash prizes for the winners, runners-up, third- and fourth-place teams, saying the initiative was part of his efforts to promote youth development in Kano State and across the country.
He added that arrangements would be made to identify and support some of the best-performing players by providing opportunities for them to pursue football careers abroad.
Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to youth development, describing sports as one of the key avenues for engaging and empowering young people.
Garo said the government was preparing to organise another football tournament involving local government areas across Kano North and Kano South, with the aim of expanding the competition to cover all 44 local government areas of the state.
He also announced financial support for the winners, runners-up, third- and fourth-place teams, as well as the match officials, describing the gesture as part of the government’s contribution towards the development of sports and youth talent in the state.
The combined contributions from the tournament sponsor, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, and Nasarawa Local Government Chairman, Imam Shuaibu Ogan Boye, amounted to more than ₦10 million for the winners, runners-up, third- and fourth-place teams, and match officials.
Nasarawa LGA received ₦5 million as the tournament’s champions from Dauda Rara, Murtala Garo and Imam Shuaibu Ogan Boye.
