14th October, 2010
Waidi Ibrahim, popularly known as Hoddle, has been organising Pako Mock Nations Cup for 20 years. He spoke with GSG on how he met Super Eagles’ left winger,Taiye Taiwo and his plans for this year’s edition
You have spent twenty years organising the Pako Mock Nations Cup, which has produced notable players like Taye Taiwo, Julius Apele, Akin Ademofe and others, tell us how the competition started?
I started the competition with four clubs, but later increased to eight teams. I want 12 clubs to participate in this year’s edition because I want to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the competition in a grand style.
What should we expect this year?
This year’s edition will be different because a lot of sponsors have showed interest in the championship. They are happy that I can sustain the tourney for 20 years. I thank God that the competition has really helped the youths to discover their talents.
Taye Taiwo was one of the players that played in the PAKO Mock Nations Cup; can you tell us about him?
Taye Taiwo was one of the serious players who played for Juventus FC of Idimu. His friends normally called him Igo (bottle) because he knows how to fire a shot from a long distance. Any time he wanted to play a free-kick, they would be saying Igo. I am happy that Taye Taiwo came out as one of the star players from this competition before he played for Lobi Stars of Markurdi.
Does that mean it was your competition that connected you with him ?
Of course. When he was playing with Juventus FC, I fell in love with him because he was a very serious player. When he was invited to the Flying Eagles for the FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland in 2005, I was not surprised.
The Lagos FA has concluded plans to pounce on football organisers who have not registered with it, what is your take on this?
It is a very good idea because we have fake football organisers who collect money from club owners without organising any competition. However, the Lagos FA has not done much to develop grassroots football.
What do you want the Lagos FA to do for grassroots football organisers?
We want to feel their presence in grassroots football competitions in Lagos. Let the officials begin to monitor the grassroots football and correct the system that has been bastardized before it gets out of hand.
Where is this year’s edition holding?
We will start the competition on 6 November at the Omitutu Playground, Akowonjo, Lagos.