City of David football team, COD defeated Mountain of Fire football team MFM 4-2 through penalty shootout to win their first ever FA Cup trophy on Sunday at the Agege Stadium.

Some of the grassroots clubs who featured in this year’s Lagos FA Cup justified their slots in the competition.

Messiah Football Club of Agege came to the tournament as unknown club, but they beat Christ Ambassador FC 2-1 in the preminary stage and almost defeated Bridge FC in the round of 32. Although they lost 1-2 to Bridge FC, fans who came to watch the tension soaked match applauded Messiah for their performance.

Bridge FC Coach, Lateef Daramola said he was surprised that Messiah could give his team a tough time throughout the encounter.

CMD United are not well known as far as grassroots clubs are concerned in Lagos. Against all odds, they went ahead and defeated the defending champions, First Bank 2-0 in the round of 32.

Before the encounter, nobody gave CMD United a chance to beat their opponents until they proved book makers wrong.

Another grassroots club that shone like  stars in the sky are Kelly FC. The team have potentials to go far in the tournament, but lack of concentration of the players during their match made them lost 1-2 to LSDPC football team in the quarter final.

One thing about Kelly FC in the FA Cup was that they have good midfield, great strikers which really helped them to reach the quarter final stage.

Chairman of Kelly FC, Kelly Vincent said his team would have reached the semi final stage if not for his players who failed to play to instructions.

Yobo FC were another grassroots club that proved bookmakers wrong by reaching the semi final stage.

Yobo FC defeated another grassroots club, My People FC 4-3 on penalty shoot out to book a place in the semi final.

Their semi final match against professional club, MFM was one of the best matches played in the competition. Yobo FC, who reached the round of 16 last year gave MFM a good run for their money.

Yobo FC got an opportunity to beat MFM in the semi final having scored two goals in the encounter watched by over 500 spectators at the Agege Stadium. So sad for the team, they allowed their opponents to get equalisers in the added time to drag the encounter to penalty shootout.

One of the major factors that led Yobo FC to lose the final ticket was that the players lacked experience to curtail the MFM striking force in the last minutes of the tie. Secondly, the players were carried away with the two goals scored before their opponents cancelled the deficits.

Thirdly, the coaching crew of Yobo FC were bereft of ideas to read the match when the pressure was much on the team. Despite the fact that Yobo FC lost the semi final game, kudos should also be given to the grassroots club who almost upset MFM in the tenison soaked match.

P.M.NEWS Sports Grassroots Soccer Guide observed that the success some of the grassroots clubs recorded in this year’s Lagos FA cup was due to the matches which were played on astro turf. Secondly, some teams had good preparations while, the officiating was fair to all participating teams that took part in the championship.

Daniel told the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Abuja that a lot of grassroots players needed to be given opportunity to play for the national team. He said that there were many talents at the grassroots who were not utilised.

According to him, scouting for players for some clubs in Europe has made me realise that Nigeria is not only rich in resources but also in sports talents.

“This is a rich country, there are so much talents here that can be invested in if the necessary things are put in place,” he said.

The Benfica former coach said he wondered why most of his grassroots players are yet to be in the national team in spite of the fact that they are good.

Daniel said that politics should not be involved in selection of sportsmen and women.

“If you have such talents, why don’t you do all the necessary things to bring them together?’’ he asked.

Daniel said that sports could go a long way to improve the economy of the country if it is given all the necessary concentration.

The coach has gone round the 36 states to search for good players, after some month of scouting; only 25 players are selected who will go for further training in Portugal.

Within five days Wusu Football Academy have won two trophies in a row.

After beating all comers to the maiden Ogunnusi Cup at the Agege Stadium on Wednesday, 1 May, the team, tutored by Tunde Oyebande, were at Dele Arojo Memorial Cup where they also won the grassroots football championship tagged Ipokia L.G.A. Cup.

Wusu FC beat Ijofin 5-4 through penalty after they played barren draw in the regulation time. The team had contested the tournament with other 11 wards in Ipokia local council. The competition, which kicked off on 17 April, was sponsored by Mrs. Ayodele Adeshina Orojo in memory of her late husband, Dele Orojo.

•Wusu FC players and officials celebrate winning Ipokia LGA Cup on Sunday

Apart from the prize money of N100, 000, which the winners won, scholarships to higher institutions were given to Wusu players such as Gbemi Emmanuel, Seun Ogunribide, David Kareem, Jamiu Bakare and Vincent Akharele.

Coach Oyebande described the latest feat of his team as an act of God, adding that the unity within the team and the support they received from the management of the club have been sources of motivation and inspiration that led to the victories which came their way in May.

He noted that more success would still come the way of Wusu FC as they lined up series of competitions which they would play as the year progresses.

Nigerian professional side, City of David football team COD yesterday defeated Mountain of Fire football team 3-1 via penalty shootout after a barren draw at regulation time to win their first ever Lagos State Challenge Cup.

Football fans who came to the Agege Stadium yesterday were impressed with the performance of both teams.

MFM team were in control of the game,  putting in all their effort to get early goals, but they met a brickwall in goalkeeper Lawal Farouk of COD who denied them the joy of scoring.

•Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Seyi Akunwunmi (left) presents the FA Cup trophy to C.O.D captain, Olowo Femi at the Agege Stadium, yesterday. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi

Olatunbosun Sikiru’s scored an offside goal for MFM in the 29th minute.The goal, which was disallowed by the referee, did not go down well with MFM fans who felt the decision was wrong.

Olowo Femi’s free header would have given COD their first goal in the 35th minute before the half time. The second half witnessed several lost chances from both teams before the victors of the tension-soaked match were decided through spot kicks. COD Coach, Solomon Manaseh said that the best team won this year’s Lagos FA Cup and promised that his team won’t disappoint at the national Challenge Cup now known as the Federation Cup.

MFM’s coach, Ilechukwu Fidelis, congratulated COD for winning the tournament.

—Sunday Akintoye

East African athletes have again confirmed their dominance of long distance race in the continent, as Kenya’s Moses Masai Saturday won the first ever International Amateur Athletics Federation IAAF-certified road race in Nigeria held, at Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The road race which attracted seven hundred top athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Nigeria, was organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in conjunction with Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited.

The Kenyan won the 10 kilometre race with a time of 29 minutes, 39 seconds, while Timothy Troitich of Uganda came second with a time of 29 minutes 44 seconds and Yusuf Bitwott also of Kenya, came third with a time of 29 minutes, 50 seconds.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State who also participated in the race alongside the Minister of Sports, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi and other VIPs including top Nollywood actors came a long distance 131st position with a time of 59 minutes, 3 seconds.

To the consternation of everyone present, the governor ran the whole length of 10 kilometres of the race over hills and sandy paths, even against the advise by organisers that he compete in the VIP race which covered only 2.5km.

Minister for Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi who promised to ensure that race is made an annual event, thanked the Edo State Government for the commitment and vision for the event.

“I must commend you for the sincere energy and commitment which you have demonstrated and also for the vision of this event. We will continue to cherish the connection you have brought between rural development and sports and that falls squarely within our mission for mass participation in sports. I will continue to argue that it is not all the time that the purpose of sports is for medals or for podium success or global excellence,” he noted.

According to him, “the purpose of sports is for mass participation and for unity. Today this event is uniting us because it has brought everybody here to have a pleasant Saturday in Okpekpe. I must also say that the people of Okpekpe will continue to be grateful for this event. Without this event someone like me will probably not visit Okpekpe, if ever I will visit it will probably not be today.”

The Minister said the governor has given the people the opportunity to witness this excitement for them to have hope and believe in what is possible.

“I want to assure you I will be having discussion with the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria and we are sure that by the grace of God we shall have a repeat of this event next year and we are going to sustain it,” he added.

Responding, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Minister for the leadership he provides in the Ministry of Sports which has taken sports to the next level in Nigeria.

“I think I speak the mind of the community and the good people of Edo State to say thank you when you say that this event will be repeated every year. We in Edo State will make sure we include it in our national calendar of events,” he disclosed.

“I think it is reassuring to bring Africans together and I am sure this countries will be going back to tell their people that rural people are connected and even Ministers feel at home in a typical rural Nigeria. That we have road networks that connect the cities to the villages. Nigeria is not about those things that people report about.

“The country is working, development is going on, the rural people are being touched, rural economy is being affected positively and Nigeria is on the move,” he added.

Secretary of the Rivers State Football Association, Benjamin Akobo said during the semi final games yesterday that the Rivers State FA has no money to stage the final.

He further stated that since both finalists have already qualified for the national Federation Cup, there would be no need to bother with playing the state’s final, which is only ceremonial.

“ We didn’t get any fund released from the Rivers State Sports Ministry and there is nothing we can do about it.

“I can defend this decision anywhere and anyone who does not like it can make a protest. That is the way it will be,” Akobo declared.

Both Sharks and Dolphins have a local rivalry dating back many years, with Sharks being named publicly as the preferred team in the state.

The 26-year-old ex-Enugu Rangers central defender has played all of his club football in France, first with Nice before moving to Rennes in the summer of 2010.

A serious knee injury has forced him to make just one appearance in his first 18 months at the Route de Lorient and made just 13 outings in total last season.

Injuries have again restricted him to just nine appearances so far this season, with his latest setback a niggling ankle injury.

Despite his fitness worries, Apam, who has seven international caps for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, is hopeful of returning to action before the end of the season and has already set his sights on securing a move to England.

“I am injured at the moment, but hopefully I can play the next three games,” he said. “I have always dreamt of playing in England and testing myself against the best strikers in the world.

“Hopefully I will get that chance in the summer. Rennes are a great club, they had so many injuries this year, but they will be fine next season with or without me,” he told Sky Sports.

Sunday Akintoye

Lagos State Football Association, LSFA, has concluded plans to stage a memorable FA Cup finals at the Agege Stadium on Sunday. It will be a football event that will also feature a musical show.

Chairman of the Technical Committee of the association, Dotun Coker, told P.M.NEWS Sports Friday that the grand finale will begin from 12 noon with the curtain raiser, when the Eko Football Future Stars take to the pitch to entertain fans.

Football-action-at-the-ongoing-Lagos-FA-Cup-at-the-Agege-Stadium.-PHOTO-Emmanuel-Osodi.

Coker, who is also a board member of the FA, stated that apart from the Eko Football Future Stars game, the 2013 Women FA Cup final will also hold with FC Real Dynamo taking on Yaba Queens in a match that promises to be highly entertaining and exciting as both sides parade some members of the 18th National Sports Festival football gold medal winning squad.

“We are working round the clock to stage a good show because this year’s FA Cup has been very interesting with many of the top clubs including the defending champions, First Bank Football Club, falling by the way side. It is going to be sportstainment at its best with some notable artistes expected to perform during the final ceremony,” he informed.

Coker disclosed that the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state, Enitan Waheed Oshodi will lead other dignitaries to the event.

The two finalists in the men and women categories will represent the state at the national Federation Cup.

Nigeria’s top tennis star, Shehu Lawal qualified for the semi final of the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Senior Tennis Open in a hard earned victory over Thomas Otu 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos Friday morning.

The enthralling encounter, which lasted well over one hour, saw the Nigerian number two player, Lawal, winning the first set, but was overpowered by Otu in the second set. The Kaduna State-based Lawal had to use his wealth of experience to defeat the resilient Otu in the final set.

In other quarter-final matches decided Friday morning, number one player, Abdulmumuni Babalola crushed Sanni Adamu, 6-1, 6-4, Clifford Enosoregbe forced Daniel Ode to a 6-2,1-0(rtd) game, while 2011 Men’s Singles winner, Henry Atseye, proved too tough for Samuel Omoile as Atseye won in straight set of 6-3,6-3.

The semi-final ties which would be decided Friday evening, would see Abdulmumuni Babalola facing Henry Atseye, while Clifford Enosoregbe will seek to create an upset when he plays Lawal in the second semi-final fixture.

Meanwhile, wheelchair tennis semi-final matches will also be decided today. Nigeria’s number one wheelchair tennis player, Wasiu Yusuf, will take on veteran Jude Uwaze, while vastly travelled Alex Adewale will square up against another top player, Jelili Ishola.

All semi-final ties will be decided today. The final ceremony holds Saturday.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi is the chairman of Lagos State Football Association. He spoke about this year’s Lagos FA Cup and his plans for the grand finale on Sunday with SUNDAY AKINTOYE

•Lagos FA Boss, Akinwunmi

Sir, how would you rate this year’s Lagos State Challenge Cup?

I am happy that this year’s Lagos State Challenge Cup known as Lagos FA Cup has lived up to expectations in terms of organisation, good officiating and standard of play by the participating teams. I must confess that this year’s edition is better organised than the previous editions.

Why did you say that this year’s  is better than previous editions?

If you look this year’s edition, there was no much complain about bad officiating and we  did not get any report of soccer hooliganism from the past matches. It shows that the organisers have learnt from the past mistakes and ensure sure that this year’s edition is a hitch free tournament. I think one should give kudos to the organisers for working round the clock to ensure that all the participating teams are treated equally.

•Action from the Lagos FA Cup. Photo… Emmanuel Osodi

You watched the quarter final game between COD United and Bridge FC, how would you rate the match?

It was a  very technical game from the both sides. Both teams played good football and the fans really enjoyed the game. Like I said before, there is improvement in the competition this year than the previous editions.

We were told that the semi final match will hold tomorrow while, the final match will hold on Sunday at the Agege Stadium, any arrangement for the closing ceremony?

We are planning to make this year’s edition memorable one.We have sent letters of invitation to some sports administrators in the state to grace the final. We are expecting Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Enitan Waheed Oshodi and other top government functionaries to be part of the grand finale.We are also planning to give the competition media publicity  before  Sunday.

Ugoriji said this, after he was elected unopposed as President of the club on Sunday in an elections held at the Eagles Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere.

Explaining his programmes, the Abia born educationist officer told P.M.NEWS Sports that he is ready to give his best and empower the club members who have one challenge or the other.

“First and foremost I want to thank the club members for giving me the opportunity to serve them. My immediate plan is to set up an investment committee that will look into the welfare of the members. The welfare of the club members is very paramount in my heart and I promised that any member who has one challenge or the other will be taken care of during my administration,” he said.

Ugoriji who had 63 votes to become the President said he is planning to form a synergy with the Federal Civil Service Club, All Stars Football Club from Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom State and Abuja where they will exchange programmes and ideas.

He disclosed that his administration will create an opportunity for any club member who wants to go back to schools for coaching course or sports management. He said his administration will do everything within its power to create jobs for his members in both government and private sectors.

In his own comment, Publicity Secretary, Mojeed Adegbindin, who was elected unopposed, promised to create good image for the club and ensure that the club enjoy good relationship with Nigerian journalists. He commended the club members for the orderliness they exhibited during the elections.

In the elections results released by the officials, Chuks Mbakwe defeated Adeola Adelanwa to win the Vice President position, Pius Egiolamhen won General Secretary unopposed, while Festus Odinaka defeated Femi Tometi to occupy the position of the Financial Secretary.

Sally Onyeabuchi floored Tunde Ibrahim to occupy the position of the Social Welfare, Kryian Agu was elected the Provost unopposed, while the position of the Treasurer went to  Muyiwa Olaofe who was elected unopposed so also was  Uduak Evans elected unopposed as Assistant Secretary of the club.

—Sunday Akintoye

Hakeem Busari and Tunde Odubola have been temporarily in charge of ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ since the middle of last season, but as the team are  struggling to find their bearings, especially away from home, the coaching crew may well be looking elsewhere for a job.

“They have failed again,” a top 3SC official disclosed to MTNFootball.com yesterday in reference to the caretaker coaches.

Shooting Stars fell 1-0 to hosts ABS in Ilorin, their fifth straight loss on the road this season.

ABS match winner came in the 62nd minute through Ibrahim Abdulahi, who fired in a shot from 20 yards which Laide Okanlawon in goal for 3SC did not have an answer for.

Reserve goalkeeper Abiodun Akande said that 3SC player were disappointed to have lost again on the road because it was a game they controlled.

“We are not happy to lose this game because it was a game we ought to have won but God knows best. We will go back home and re-strategise,” he said.

Nembe City defeated Gombe United 2-0 with Okiki Musampa scoring a brace.

Nigeria National League side, City of David United, C.O.D, a Lagos-based team, have pulled off a major coup as they have signed former Super Eagles’ coach, Austin Eguavoen.

The club said in a statement early today that “we are delighted to announce the appointment of former national team captain and manager, Austin Eguveon as our new manager.

“After parting ways with Coach Bode Awakan we moved swiftly to appoint the former Enyimba and Sharks’ coach to fill the vacant managerial position.”

Speaking on the appointment, Shola Opaleye, Chief Executive of the club said the experience of the coach was a major factor.

“Eguavoen is highly experienced at the very highest level of football and we hope he can bring his wealth of experience to bear on our ambitions to gain promotion.

“We have very good young players here and we have further reinforced by signing experienced hands like Kabiru Alausa.

Eguavoen’s last appointment was at Premier League side, Sharks, where he walked away because he felt the club was not being professional about his contract.

Olabisi Samuel has urged his 3SC teammates not to get carried away by the goal-scoring spree that saw them defeat Akwa United 4-1 in their last League outing, but focus on how they can get points at El Kanemi in their midweek games tomorrow.

•Olabisi Samuel of 3SC in action during a recent league match

The Oluyole Warriors had to battle back from a goal down to record the impressive victory in the Week 07 encounter of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

The former FC Ebedei goalkeeper, who converted to defence, believed his colleagues need to do more especially in the fixtures away from home.

Olabisi told futaa.com that the team’s next target, is to try and get points in their next away games.

“We are not happy with our away results. This must change against El-kanemi and ABS,” he said. Shooting Stars currently sit in the 5th position on the log with 12 points, scoring 13 goals and conceding 10.

CMD United who last week humbled FC Trazeet 1-0 in the first round lived up to expectations when Ugochi Mathias scored an early goal for CMD United in the 18th minute to put their opponents under severe pressure. The match was tough for the defending champions as CMD United gave them a good run for their money in the first half of the grudge match.

Efforts by First Bank to get the needed equaliser did not yield result as the scoreline ended 1-0 in favour of CM D United in the first half. Hundreds of spectators who watched the pulsating encounter applauded CMD United players for their doggedness and determination in the match.

First Bank came back forcefully early in the second half through Cosmos Aberumu and Elaezer Okorie who missed the opportunities that would have given First Bank victory but thanks to CMD United’s goalkeeper, Quadri Sodiq who denied them the scoring chances. Substitute Ojajuni Michael’s winning goal in the 76th minute was superb when he got through First Bank’s defence to fire a powerful shot at close range to send CMD United fans into frenzy.

—Sunday Akintoye

Team Manger of Kelly Football Club, Kelly Vincent was elated when his team booked a place in the Round of 16 of Lagos State Challenge Cup on Tuesday. After the encounter, Vincent spoke about his team’s performance and his ambition in the Lagos FA Cup with SUNDAY AKINTOYE. 

•Kelly boss, Vincent

Sir, your team defeated Stanley Global 2-0 to book a place in the Round of 16 of  Lagos FA Cup, how do you feel?

I feel happy because we are now in the Round of 16 of Lagos FA Cup. I must commend my players because they really gave a good account of themselves.

Looking at your team against Stanley Global FC, can we say the players have what it takes to play in this year’s final?

Honestly, I see my team playing in this year’s Lagos FA Cup. We have been in Round of 16 and quarter final in the previous editions. The players have decided to play better and promised to reach this year’s final.

Don’t you think it will be a difficult task to play in the final considering the fact that you are likely to play some professional clubs such First Bank, Union Bank, Bridge FC, MFM and COD United  on your way to the final?

I am aware of this herculean tasks ahead of us. We have played some of these clubs in the past Lagos FA Cup and I think they are beatable. We are not afraid of any team because our target is to win this year’s Lagos FA Cup.

Which areas do you think you  need to work on  in the team?

I think the fitness of the players is very paramount because we are now in the tough stage. Lagos FA Cup is not meant for unfit team or academies. It is meant for aggressive and ambitious clubs who have set target for themselves. Secondly, our shooting is giving me concern. My players don’t hit target as I want which I believe the coaching crew need to work on.

 Tell us when Kelly FC were formed?

The team were formed in 1999. We started with 17 players but today we have over 32 players in the team. The club have been doing well in Lagos FA Cup and other high profile football competitions in Lagos.

How   would you rate this year’s Lagos FA Cup in terms of officiating, organisation and standard of play by the participating teams?

I must confess that this year’s edition is one the best organised Lagos FA Cup; the participating teams enjoy good officiating. The organisation is quite impressive and I think the organisers deserve commendation.

Sunday Akintoye reports that the grudge tie, which was played at Agege Stadium saw Friday Idara scoring the first goal for Bridge Boys in the 6th minute.

Messiah FC, who came to stadium with a large number of their fans equalised when Odili Tosin netted a goal a minute later to send their fans into wild jubilation.

Bridge Boys raised their game in the second half as they dominated the match. The pressure was too much for Messiah who appeared tired and heavy in the second half.

The effort of Bridge Boys paid off when Ismail Balogun fired a shot to beat Messiah’s goalkeeper, Festus Ehiabhi in the 80th minute to silence Messiah fans.

In other match 3 Pillars beat Fame FC 5-2 through penalty shoots at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos after they played 0-0 in the regulation time.

With six schools taking part in the three-day tournament, which serves as qualifiers for the 2013 NUGA Games holding in June at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), UNILAG team confirmed its superiority in the squash event dominating in the men and women categories.

Also yesterday, FUNAAB were in superb form in table tennis beating University of Ibadan (UI) and Lagos State University (LASU) to the title in the men and women team events. UI and LASU suffered 3-1 defeats in the hand of FUNNAB.

However, UNILAG have started working their way to the top at the championship with victories over FUNAAB and UI in the volleyball and basketball events.

In volleyball, the Akoka boys beat FUNNAB 3-1 to record victory in their first game, while in the basketball event; UNILAG ladies pounded UI 48-17 to be on top.

According to NUGA Zone F Co-coordinator, Cecilia Arinye, six schools are taking part in the competition after Lead City and Bell Universities were turned back following their inability to produce proper registration for the games.

“The games had started and the athletes are putting all their efforts to ensure that they make the school proud and for us at NUGA, we are also working hard to ensure that only bonafide students take part in the tournament. Any athlete or school found using mercenaries will be disqualified,” she said.

Continued she said: “Every athlete taking part in this preliminaries have been well screened and most of them are also certified to be part of the NUGA Games in June if they qualify. This is a development and I urge all teams to play according to the rules.”

Two schools are expected to qualify for team event, while two athletes are to represent each school in individual events at NUGA.

Participating schools at the main NUGA Games will directly compete for cricket and hockey events.

Aside the host – UNILAG, others taking part in the competition are IU, FUNAAB, LASU, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED). The tournament ends on Saturday.

The Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) has said that it had commenced preparation for the 2nd Senator David Mark’s National Open Squash Championships in Abuja.

The competition is scheduled to hold from 21-25 April at the Squash Hall, Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.

The President of the federation, Femi Ajagbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the championships were part of the federation’s developmental programme for the year.

“This championships will help to keep our players busy. It is part of our programme to ensure that both the junior and senior players remain fit.

“Mark is part of the squash family and these championships are a confirmation that we are on course, we are looking for more corporate organisations to partner with us.

“We are hoping that this year’s competition will be better than the previous ones,’’ the president said.

NAN reports the tournament is being held to commemorate Marks 65th birthday. Wale Amoo of Lagos State won the men’s category of the maiden edition, while, Dunni Okikiola, also of Lagos State won the women’s category.

The sports company is owned by the former goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, Peter Rufai. The agreement is part of Ogun FA’s plans to accelerate the growth of football through private sector initiative by ensuring systematic marketing drive and unrivaled competitions in the Gateway state.

The memorandum reads: “Apart from organising and marketing various football competitions across the state. It also includes training and periodic workshops for referees, football coaches and officials in the Gateway state.”

The signing ceremony, which attracted the presence of stakeholders in Ogun State football, brought into fruition days of brainstorming, planning and exchange of correspondence between the two parties.

The chairman of the state’s football association, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Staruf Sport Nigeria limited, Peter Rufai, a.k.a Dodo Mayana, said the project will help in the development of football in the state.

—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta