TY Buratai FC, Veritable Tool for Non-Kinetic Strategy in Conflict Management
Driven by an endless zeal to always contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria, Lt. General TY Buratai founded TY Buratai FC.
The importance of sports the world over cannot be over-emphasized. Sport is pivotal to national unity and cohesion which translate into development.
Apart from that plethora of benefits, sport can also serve as a veritable tool for non-kinetic strategy in conflict management, defeating an insurgency, and enhancing peacebuilding.
Keeping in mind that a majority of those engaged in insurgency and banditry are youths who, mostly owing to the unavailability of channels to dissipate their energy and passion, take to crimes, the importance of establishing a football club becomes more appreciated.
TY Buratai FC of T YBuratai Football Academy, which is now based in Keffi, is one football club that has been breaking new ground across Northern Nigeria in the last three years.
The team has consistently been organizing competitions between local teams spread across different states, identifying new and promising talents, and even visiting neighbouring countries for friendly matches.
In the last three years, TY Buratai FC has helped in giving hope to young people who now see sport as a means to earn self-respect, overcome poverty, build bridges, and new partnerships.
In a keenly contested match, TY Buratai FC today slugged it out with Azizam FC of the Niger Republic in Niamey. Although the match ended in a goalless draw, the players displayed exceptional skills and played with vigor.
Both teams were passionate about defending their country in the match, which lasted for 90 minutes.
The Chairman of the Nigerien Football Federation, Colonel Major D Jibrilla Hima Hamidou who declared the friendly match open, commended the officials of TY Buratai Football Academy for their dedication and how they have been extending the hand of friendship to the Niger Republic.
He also extolled the vision and foresight of the patron and lead promoter of the club, H.E. TY Buratai. The President of TY Buratai Football Academy, Engineer Hassan Mohammed, later presented an award plaque to Colonel Major Hamidou.
Engineer Hassan Mohammed told this magazine that the players and officials of TY Buratai FC exhibited a high level of resilience, discipline, and patriotism.
He also used the medium to thank the patron of the team, Ambassador Buratai for remaining consistent in supporting the team at all times.
“This is what I call a classical example of giving back to society; it might seem like a small thing to some people, but I can assure you that these youths are happy for the opportunity,” said Engineer Mohammed.
The team also visited the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey where they interacted with Nigerian diplomats on matters relating to sports, the history of the diplomatic ties that exist between Nigeria and the Niger Republic, and current affairs.
The friendly match saw the attendance of distinguished personalities and lovers of football.
