In a bid to promote grassroots sports development and engage young people positively, the Chairman of the Plateau State Youth Council (PYC), Dr. Panan Gongden Dapar, has launched the distribution of football jerseys to youths across communities in Plateau State.
The initiative was officially flagged off on Sunday, December 4, 2026, at the Kopal Community Football Field in Mangu Local Government Area. At the event, nine sets of branded football jerseys were distributed to youth football teams drawn from Kopal/Bwar District, Panyam District, and Pushit District.
The occasion also marked the kickoff of a football unity competition aimed at fostering peace, teamwork, and talent discovery among youths in the area. The opening match saw Olive Boys of Kopal FC clash with Sport Friends of Tilengpat FC, creating an atmosphere of excitement and community bonding.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Dapar said the initiative aligns with the PYC’s manifesto and commitment to creating platforms that showcase the talents of Plateau youths while providing opportunities for empowerment. He explained that football was chosen as a strategic entry point due to its popularity among young people and its proven capacity to promote unity and discipline.
According to him, the programme is designed not only to identify and nurture football talents but also to keep youths productively engaged and away from social vices such as drug abuse and other forms of delinquency. He noted that Plateau State has a rich history in sports, particularly football and athletics, and stressed the need to revive grassroots participation to sustain that legacy.
Dr. Dapar, who hails from Kopal community, said the project was deliberately kick-started in his home village, assuring that the initiative would be extended to all 17 local government areas of the state as resources permit. He added that beyond the distribution of jerseys, the PYC would organize competitions and invite scouts to identify outstanding talents capable of progressing to professional clubs such as Plateau United and Mighty Jets, as well as opportunities beyond Nigeria.
Also speaking, a representative of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Yatu Promise, conveyed the support of the commissioner, Hon. Ephraim Usman, and the Plateau State Government for the initiative. He commended the gesture as a noble and timely intervention that aligns with the vision of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on grassroots development and local content promotion. He further announced a cash donation of ₦500,000 in support of the programme.
Other dignitaries present at the event, including Hon. Elisha Nanlop Jwanpe; Vice Chairman of the Plateau State Youth Council, Comrade Nurse Noro Pam; and the Madaki of Kopal/Bwar District, Silas Yarima Kopchi, also applauded the initiative. They noted that the programme would help curb youth restiveness, strengthen community cohesion, and demonstrate the commitment of the PYC leadership to reaching rural youths and promoting sports development in Plateau State.
