By Musa Ubandawaki in Sokoto

SOKOTO: The National interstates open Fives championship organized by Fives Federation of Nigeria came to a climax in Sokoto.

The championship which was the first of it’s kind, was successfully hosted by Sokoto State Fives Club in collaboration with Fives Federation of Nigeria from 1st to 4th January, 2025. Katsina State Fives players who are the current defending champions of the prestigious national Sardauna Cup repeated same excellent sporting prowess by also clinching the highest Cup of the championship.

Ahmad Abdu aka Henry and Salisu Baso aka Babale of Katsina state defeated the Partnership of Gambo Muhammad and Shafiu Osundu at the finals.

The first ever winners of this championship lifted the trophy and went home with a cash prize of ₦200, 000.

In the same vein, the second position intermediate as well as third place Junior categories were also won by Katsina State Fives players with cash prizes of ₦75,000 and ₦30,000 respectively.

The final ceremony was graciously attended by the representative of His Excellency the Governor of Sokoto State Dr. Ahmad Aliyu ably represented by the state commissioner for youth and sports development Dr. Engr. Mustapha Muhammad, the speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, while His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Alh. Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, was represented by Dan Iyan Sokoto, Alh. Tukur Bala.

The Chairman, Katsina State Fives Association Hon. Mannir Ibrahim Talba, mni was represented by Salisu Lawal Kerau who led the Katsina State contingents.

The President Fives Federation of Nigeria, Alh. Dr. Abubakar Aliyu Dangaladima Tukuran Gwandu, Barden Arewan Katsina said the championship was deliberately staged in Sokoto in order to revive the game of Fives in the state, the President further stated that, the Federation was in touched with Eton Fives Association in England on the championship, where they donated the Junior category Cup which was won by the host state(Sokoto).

Other prizes include the third position senior category won by Kebbi state as well as third place intermediate category won by Kano State.

The second position Junior category goes to Kebbi state. In the female category, Kano State female Fives team defeated Kebbi state and emerged victorious with a trophy and cash prize of ₦50,000 while the runners up got cash prize of ₦30,000. Other prizes also include the best player prize of ₦30,000 to Suleman Sokoto.

The best referees prizes was given to Kabir Aliyu Bulu from Katsina State.