By Stella Kabruk
The Kaduna State Government has celebrated the rebranding of the Kaduna United FC with unveiling of a new logo for the club.
The new logo was unveiled by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Prof. Kabiru Mato, at the Asaa Pyramid Hotels, on Friday, with several local and international stakeholders present.
Assisted by the Kaduna State FA Chairman, Hon. Sharreeff Alkassim, Chairman of the Club, Hon. Mukhtar Baloni, President, Nigerian football coaches Association, Ladan Bosso, and several other dignitaries.
Mato said the state government would provide the club all the necessary support it needed to excel.
Represented by the state Director of Sports, Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim, Mato congratulated the club chairman for all the efforts at resetting Kaduna United.
He noted that they had been under pressure from across the state, over the absence of Kaduna United from the league, stressing that he was optimistic the club would do well in the league.
“They have played a lot of friendly matches and I believe they will succeed,” he said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the club, Mukhtar Baloni said that the new management was made up of vibrant youth out to make a statement in the Nigerian league.
Baloni commended the management of the club for converting visions to physical reality, saying that the club was for all Kaduna citizens and should, therefore, be supported by all and sundry.
“We all know what is happening around us, the city is witnessing a rebirth and we decided on the rebirth of the club. It is for all of us and our prayers and support are needed for it to succeed,” he said
He thanked the Kaduna State SWAN Chairman, Comrade Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, pledging that they would not interfere with coaches’ decision or show favouritism, vowing that they would equally be impartial in the recruitment of players.
The chairman also thanked Kaduna United supporters for their resilience, saying: ”We assure you this is the beginning of a successful journey.
“I stand not just as Chairman of the board, but as a current vice chairman of a Local Government Area. I will reach across local councils and ensure that development of sports is accorded priority at the grassroots,” he said.
Kaduna State FA Chairman, Hon. Alkassim Sharreeff, said that it was a historic day for the state, with the unveiling of the new logo and potentials of the club of going higher.
“With the experienced coach and crew we have, the sky will be the limit,” he added.
President, Nigerian Coaches Association, Ladan Bosso, described the event as his greatest moment witnessing the unveiling of the club’s logo.
“There is no club in premier league without a Kaduna groomed player. When Kaduna United was playing in the Premier League, I was always troubled when I have a match in Kaduna because of abundance of talents,” he said.
He, therefore, advised the coaches to brace up as the sustainability of the team largely depended on them.
Earlier, Vice Chairman of Kaduna United FC, Mahmud Sanusi, commended the arrangements put in place to ensure the club’s rebirth.
“We have been working for a while, trying to get players from around Kaduna, we invited teams from Kaduna metropolis from where we sourced players. It was a Herculean task to get the right players here in Kaduna.
“We are confident of the coaches managing the team, we believe we have taken the right steps in bringing them on board,” he said.
Also speaking, Marcus, an international coach from Italy, said that logos were very important because they portrayed the identity of clubs.
“The football team of your hometown gives you business card of your city, Kaduna United will make your city known the world over,” he said.
Marcus tasked the club management on setting up of football academies so that they can groom young players and keep them away from drug abuse and other vices.
He also advised the team to be focused so that they can gain promotion to the premier league.
On his part, SWAN Chairman, Isaiah Benjamin, assured that sports writers were delighted that Kaduna United was back on board, assuring that SWAN would give the team maximum publicity.
He tasked coaches to choose players on merit, not based on other considerations such as favouritism or nepotism.
The rebranded Kaduna United is expected to begin its journey of rebirth by featuring in the amateur league. (NAN)
