Sen. John Wash Pam Historic Memorial Peace Football Tournament Starts on Exciting Note

The opening ceremony of the Maiden Edition of Da Senator John Wash Pam, CON Memorial Peace Cup Football Tournament held today Tuesday 22nd October, 2019 at Ekan Primary School Football Field Karon-Mission Foron B/Ladi LGA Plateau State and will run through to 26th December, 2019 when the finals will be held.

The essence of the tournament include promoting unity and peaceful existence.

Chairman of the occasion, a former Federal House of Representatives for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency and Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rep. Suleiman Kwande appreciated the Coordinator, Mr. Ganan Wash Pam for finding him worthy to serve as Chairman of the historic occasion and commended the tournament as well as its objective of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence. He said there is no alternative to peace.

He eulogized the Late Deputy Senate President who he described as a Nationalist, Patriot and a National Bridge Builder.

Rep. Kwande admonished the players and officials on discipline and also urged them to take the tournament seriously. He said football is all about discipline and as a Representative of NFF North Central, he will do his best to ensure those with talents and supported to grow their career in football. He said he has directed professionals to be visiting from now to the end of the tournament to hunt for talents which could be used globally.

He urged the coordinator of the Tournament to sustain it.

Coordinator of the Football Tournament and son to the Second Republic Senator of the Federal Republic, Mr. Ganan Wash Pam appreciated the people for gracing the occasion and said the idea of bringing the youths together to foster unity, love, brotherliness, oneness and peaceful coexistence was behind the resolve of the John Wash Pam Foundation to introduce a football tournament.

Mr. Ganan said without peace & tranquility, no meaningful development can be achieved in communities, hence the essence of the tournament. He said it is their desire that the tournament will further spring unity and help people eschew whatever bitterness that may have been dividing them thereby derailing them from the path of meaningful growth and development.

He said youths as Leaders of tomorrow need not just a sense of belonging but also opportunity to be physically and mentally fit which will refresh them to take up challenges in their respective fields of human endeavor.

He said the tournament is featuring 16 teams selected from Barkin Ladi LGA and environs and a total of 32 matches are expected to be played.

Mr. Ganan Wash Pam reminded those present that the kick off tournament today 22nd October, 2019 was deliberately done to mark exactly 5 years of the demise and birthday of the Patriach, Da John Was Pam.

He admonished the players to give their best because among them are top guns of the industry, the people who decide what goes on in the world of the beautiful global game, not only in Nigeria but even beyond. He said this may be the opportunity for their breakthrough.

The Secretary Barkin Ladi LGC, Da Hon. Capt(Rtr) Rwang Pam Dusu said the initiative was timely and commendable. He urged the players to be committed and display their talents so they can be discovered for better and greater opportunities.

The Chairman, Plateau State Football Association (PFA), Hon. Sunday Samson Longbap applauded the Coordinator for the laudable initiative and for focusing on the principle of oneness and togetherness. He reiterated on the need for players to be disciplined for them to excel. He thanked Rep. Suleiman Kwande for his commitment to develop the talents of the players and exploits same for global use.

Others who spoke were Acting Gwom Rarung, Da Ezekiel Gwom Bot and younger Sister to the Late Senate President, Ngo Chundung Chollom who described him as an agent of peace and a great Philanthropist.

The opening ceremony featured Yep United Vs Young Stars in where Young Stars got a 2 – 1 win.

The following teams are participating in the tournament;

Group A:
Yep United, Young Stars, Golden Boyz & Kamang FC

Group B:
Salvation FC, Guhwas United, Kapwis United and Ratt FC

Group C:
Gwakim United, Anguldi United, Rassa FC & Golden Stars

Group D:
Kassa United, Nerat United, Buffallos B/K & Celtic FC

The Local Organizing Committee has Yakubu Leng Atala as Chairman, Dusu Melchizedek Pam as Secretary with Eric Ganan Pam, Lang Wash Pam and Yakubu Alangs as Members.

The Screening committee consists of Coach Pam Chuwang as Chairman, Yakubu Zitta as Secretary, with Nuhu Rabo, Isaac Sanda & John Garba as Members

Chairman of the occasion, Rep. Suleiman Kwande has promised Full Sets of Jerseys/5 Balls to the team that will win the tournament, Full Sets of Jerseys/3 Balls to the 2nd Place, Full Sets of Jerseys/2 Balls to the 3rd Place and One Hundred Naira cash to the highest scorer in the tournament.

The event which was well attended has the following dignitaries who graced the opening ceremony: Plateau State Commissioner of Youths and Sports Hon. Victor Lapang, Hon. Peter Ibrahim Gyendeng Minority Leader PLHA & Member representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Science & Technology Commissioner Hon. Dung Musa Gyang, Alh. Bala Garba NFF Match Commissioner, Alh. Maigoro NFF Match Commissioner, Hon. Jonah M. Mafwalal Board Member PFA, Mr Habila Chong FA Chairman Riyom LGA, Alh. Hassan Ali, Gwom Newo Da Chuwang Dung, John Barry Chairman FA, Noel Bancir Referee Bassa/Jos North Society, Hon. Ezra Godit PFA Deputy Chairman, Cmr. John A. D. Ramdur Sport Secretary B/Ladi LGA, Hon. Benjamin Chollom Leader B/Ladi LGC Legislative Arm, Deputy Leader B/Ladi Legislative Arm Hon. Pam Dung, Hon. Chuwang Wash Pam Clerk B/Ladi LGC Legislative Arm, Chairman Committee on Health B/Ladi LGC Legislative Arm Hon. Dung C. Chollom, Hon. Nathaniel PDP Secretary B/Ladi LGA.