27th December, 2012
As the year 2012 draws to a close, stakeholders in grassroots football are already looking forward to a bright new year.
Just as the outgoing year witnessed many grassroots soccer competitions, the stakeholders believe that 2013 should be another eventful year for grassroots football in the country.
Coaches, players and organisers of tournaments are preparing themselves for a busy new year. There is no doubt that 2013 will be a year when many football competitions will take place in various parts of Lagos State.
The championships that club owners will be looking forward to participating in are Lagos FA Cup, Mobolaji Johnson Cup, Mamora Cup, PWF Cup, Extra Joss Cup, Babatunde Fashola Cup, Henry Ajomale Cup and other high profile competitions.
Speaking on his club’s programme for next year, Dynamic FC Coach, Femi Folarin said he is planning to play many competitions and win more laurels for the club.
Handsworth FC Team Manager, Tajudeen Olasukanmi said that he wants his club to play more competitions in the new year than what his team played in 2012. He expressed satisfaction that some of his players have featured in the last three Ogun State Challenge Cup tournaments, and hopes that 2013 will be a better year for his club.
“This outgoing year was a not too good for Handsworth FC because, as defending champions, we were eliminated in the second round of Ogun State Challenge Cup.
“This was due to lack of funds that prevented us from preparing very well. It was so painful that we lost some of our key players that won the Ogun FA Cup for us in year 2011,” he said
Secretary of Gbagada Grassroots Sports Association, Kemac Emina said his association is also planning to organise at least one competition in a month to keep grassroots clubs busy throughout 2013.
He said the association will soon embark on sponsorship drive to source for funds for its programme in the new year.
“We are planning to organise more competitions next year if we can get sponsors. I observed that clubs and academies are coming up every day and it is necessary for us to increase the number of our competitions next year,” he said.