Dr. Shariff Rabiu Ahlan's Speech I 2024 Kano F.A Awards

"The Kano football awards, a first of its kind, brought together the sports community in Kano for a two-day event. The highlight of the event was the award for Kano’s best football player of the year, presented for the first time ever.

The buildup included the final matches of the Usual Ahlan leagues 2 and 1, as well as the premier state league called the Tofa Premiership. Another first was the inclusion of the state secondary schools' football league, the Lion League final, won by NTIC Kano in a thrilling match at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where they defeated Asha International School 2-0.

The Tofa Premier League was clinched by FC Sheshe, who defeated Kano Pillars U17s 2-1.

At the awards ceremony, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau lauded the efforts of the Kano State Football Association, which he described as a pacesetter for establishing an annual award of this magnitude—a feat never achieved by any other state in the country.

“Do the simple math: Kano State has over 5000 active football clubs that could engage about 30 young footballers each, even if it is just for 3 hours a day. You cannot imagine the good you have done to the society by engaging these young people.”