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Mahmud Hadejia recounts development of Beach Soccer in Nigeria after NSBL strides
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Mahmud Hadejia has expressed excitement at the growth of Beach Soccer in the country, stressing that the sport is gradually making waves in the country with more states showing interest in the Nigeria Beach Soccer League.
Two debutants took part in Phase 1 of the league; Kebbi United BSC and Ibom BSC, with two teams from the same state participating for the first time as Kebbi United BSC joined 2021 champions, Kebbi Fishers.
After the end of Phase 1 of the 2023 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) in Kebbi State, its coordinator reviews his leadership’s journey so far, while reflecting on the incredible development around the sport.
“We have had teams from across the country from North to the South including States like Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Kwara, and the likes. I think we are having it good with lots of improvement in terms of Beach Soccer development across the country,” Hadejia told pressmen.
“We are now seeing more states embracing the game. In Kebbi State, we have two teams participating which show the growth of Kebbi. That is why we are also calling on other states to learn from Kebbi.
“Interestingly we now have two teams from Kebbi State with both leading the pack at the end of Phase 1. Other states need to learn from what Kebbi is doing because of a new team from the State developed from the local league, Kebbi Beach Soccer League. The new club did very well with a win over defending Champions, Kada BSC. Other states need to take a cue from this.”
In its third season, Kebbi BSC won the maiden edition in 2021 before Kada Stars dethroned the maiden champions in 2022 and the African Beach Soccer Union leader recounts the incredible on-field improvement in competition.
“Beach soccer is an avenue to get youths off the street. You can’t count the number of youths out here and we have all had fun,” he continued.
“As you can see, we have national team players here as well as the upcoming ones. It’s a learning process that we are getting right. This is the best-run Beach soccer league in Africa without a doubt.
“With the conclusion of Phase 1, we are going to Kaduna and hope to wrap up in Lagos for the Finals.”
Kebbi BSC top the log at the end of Phase 1 with a maximum of nine points ahead of Kebbi United BSC (8 points), Nmanko Patigi BSC of Kwara State (6 points), Kada BSC of Kaduna State (3 points), Smart City BSC of Lagos State (0 points), and Ibom BSC of Akwa Ibom State (0 points).
