Beach Soccer: Nigeria To Host 4-Nation Tourney

Nigeria will record a milestone in the game of Beach soccer as Kinetic Sports in conjunction with Beach Soccer Worldwide plan to organise an International Beach Soccer competition tagged Copa Lagos, at the Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 9-11 December, 2011.

The three-day tourney is expected to feature England, Brazil, South Africa and Nigeria competing for honours in the four-nation tourney.

Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, said they are venturing into beach soccer to enable it gain popularity and enjoy the needed support from government and private bodies.

He said beach soccer can be used as a tool to take thousands of unemployed youths away from the streets and engaged them in gainful endeavour.

“We have the natural skills and natural environment to stage a quality tourney. Beach Soccer is a big deal and that is what we are trying to promote in Nigeria as it is in the Caribbean countries and some South American nations like Brazil.

“All the invited nations have signified their interest and we are also working hard to ensure the experience will be a great one for Nigerians.

Adamu also disclosed that arrangements are in top gear to make the tourney a fun-filled event, whereby beach soccer will be blended with entertainment from top musicians that are expected to make the atmosphere lively.

The international event has got the backing of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and former Super Eagles skipper, Austin Okocha, who praised the organisers and urged Nigerians to support the initiative.

—Bamidele Olowosagba