By Yusuf A. Yusuf
The Sardaunan makaman Bichi Alhaji Sharu Rabi’u Inuwa Ahlan who was the Chief launcher of the 2026 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Almanac Kano State Chapter and the Annual Award has officially launched the Almanac with the sum of over 2.5 million.
Members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board purchased copies of the Almanac for Kano State Football Association, the 44 local football councils in Kano State, the Gusau Ahlan Cup, as well as the Dan Adala workers, as part of efforts to support football development initiative.
The Chairman of Kano State Football Association reiterated his promise to support members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kano chapter who wish to further their education. He also assured that the Association would continue to work closely with the SWAN to promote and improves sports development across the state.
The SWAN Kano Chapter Annual Almanac, which initiated by the former SWAN Kano Chairman, Lurwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, was solely being sponsored and funded for printing every year without interruption by the royal father of the day, Makaman Bichi Dr Isyaku Umar Tofa (OON) who is also a SWAN Kano Patron.
Dr. Isyaku Umar Tofa reaffirmed his unwavering commitment in supporting initiative that promotes sports development, emphasizing the vital role of sports in boosting tourism, generating employment opportunities, as well as fostering an atmosphere of peace and unity the renowned business icon remains the sole sponsor of the Tofa Football Premier League, demonstrating his consistent dedication to grassroots sports development and community empowerment.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr Abubakar Nuhu Danburan, appreciate the effort by the association in promoting sports and call for the sustenance of peace and unity especially on the circles of sports lovers where majority of the youths are participating different spots.
The SWAN Kano State later presented an Award to esteemed sports personalities for their exceptional contribution to Sports development across the state and also to those who performed exceptional role to make Kano state as sports tourism place in the country.
Those who received the awards are:
*Dr. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi ; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence.
*Surajo Yusuf (Rising Stars FC); SWAN KANO Best Player Of the Year 2025.
*Rising Stars Fc; SWAN Kano Best Ahlan League One Club of the Year 2025.
*Golden Bullet FC; SWAN Kano Best Tofa Premier Club of the Year 2025.
*Mukhtar Ahmad Zico; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence
*Al Hassan Ali Dawakin Tofa; SWAN Kano Best Chairman Football Local Council Of the Year 2025.
*Doguwa Football Local Council; SWAN Kano Best Football Local Council Of the Year 2025
*Jamilu Hamisu; SWAN Kano Best Referee of the Year 2025.
*Aminu Halilu Tudun Wada (Freedom Radio); SWAN Kano Best Radio Sports Presenter of the Year 2025
*Gambo Musa (FIBA); SWAN Kano Best Basketball Referee of the Year 2025.
*Ibrahim Hamza Daneji (Malam Inna); SWAN Kano Best Coach of the Year 2025.
*Abbahuraira Dahiru; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence.
*Muhammad Bashir Danliti; SWAN Kano Best Traditional Sports (Dambe) Organizer Of the Year 2025
*Sha’aban Aliyu; SWAN Kano Best Traditional Dambe player of the Year 2025
*Hidda Gaddar Ahmad; SWAN Kano Best Female Administrator/Coach of the Year 2025
*Jamilu Uba Adamu NDLEA; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence
*Malam Mu’awiyya Musa Gabari; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence
*Habibu Abdu Fagge; SWAN Kano Award Of Excellence
Some of the Notable figures who attended occasion were Dr Najib Sabo Kurawa President Clever Warriors FC, Alh. Hassan Abdullahi Garo, CEO Nationwide league one, Dr Murtala Musa A.g Chairman Kano State Sports Commission.
The rest are Alh. Sabo Muhammad Eka Chairman Jigawa state football association Comrade Labbasi Jaoji, Bar. Gwadabe Minta chairman Kano State Coaches council, Chairman Kano State Reference football council, Hajiya Jamila Musa Chairperson JMA Academy, Alh. Salisu Rabiu former Chairman of SWAN Kano, Bashir Abba chairman Kashiga, Eng Salisu Magaji and Abdul Tijjani Elmer Academy among others.