Lawmaker Pledges Commitment To Football Development

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bashir Oloto, has reiterated his committment to focus more on grassroots football development.

Oloto, representing Mainland Constituency I in the State House of Assembly made this commitment at the opening match of Oloto Inter-ward Soccer Championship held recently at the Ojooniyu football pitch, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State.

The lawmaker told GSG that sponsoring a grassroots football competition is part of his constituency programme designed before he was elected.

“It is my primary responsibility as a lawmaker to sponsor sports that will keep youths away from social vices and moral decadence in my constituency. I’m fulfilled today (Saturday) that all the wards under my constituency are playing this tourney” he said.

An impressed Oloto during the opening match of the tournament promised to sponsor more football competitions and other sports that will keep youths busy throughout the year.

He urged all the participants to play according to the rules of the game and shun violence.

“We need to encourage corporate organisations to sponsor developmental football programmes and tourneys where national team coaches can scout for players that can win trophies for the country,” he said.

Chairman Organising Committee, Lateef Gbadegesin, who was happy that the competition lived up to expectations promised to treat all the teams equally throughout.

In the opening match,Ward F defeated ward B 1-0 while Ward A played 2-2 against Ward I.

Some matches will hold this weekend as hundreds of spectators are expected at the match venue to cheer their teams to victory.

—Sunday Akintoye