January, 3 2023.
By Akin Bolarinwa
The Chairman of Borno State Football Association, Alhaji Babagana Kalli has reeled off his plans for the state football.
The soft spoken super administrator stated in clear terms that he and his board have done a lot to impact meaningful in Borno.
He said the football ecosystem in Maiduguri has returned astronomically following the insurgency that impeded on all sporting activities in the state within the last 10 years.
The CAF Match Commissioner who is also an ex-Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star stressed that his achievements as a football administrator in the last 20 years cannot be thrown away.
"Borno State is the first state to have a referees academy and some of our arbiters are now CAF and FIFA graded."
"We have set up a coaching system which takes care of periodic training for coaches in Borno State".
The Chairman, NFF Match Commissioners Appointments Committee described how his board organised Borno State Football League for divisions 1, 2 and 3.
"We are no push overs in football and that is why we have clubs representing the state in all tiers of Nigeria leagues."
"The focus is on our domestic leagues in Maiduguri which are highly competitive despite the challenges that have plagued the state in the last 10 years."
"The Division One and Two are gaining tractions while the Division Three will continue to produce lads from various academies."
The executive board member of Nigeria Football Federation and the leader of North East Football Forum elucidated further on the state football activities for the year 2023.
BORNO STATE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES. FOR THE YEAR 2023.
24 teams to participate in elite league this season.
48 teams to future in the promotional division 2.
The annual Shehu of Bornu Cup competition will continue with new initiatives.
The Peace and Unity Cup will attract more sponsors.
The popular Chairman Cup, organised for only teams within maiduguri may get a new formation.
Borno intends to be the first to start the state FA Cup also known as Aiteo Cup for 2023.
QATAR Cup which is being sponsored by Qatar Water will continue this year as well.
The first Academy Cup competition is also in the pipeline for this year and this is strictly for under 13 and 15 teams.
The youth league will continue with state FA Committee members given the mandate to see through the under 18s.
Babagana Kalli has played for all tiers of the nation's national teams except the Super Eagles due to injury.
"I started as an under 15 lad and later YSFON before joining the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles."
"I have played this game to the best of my ability and I am grateful to God for seeing me through".
Kalli is a household name in Nigeria football and no one can afford to underrate him.