Lagos Fives Set For Inter-Clubs Tourney

Lagos State Fives Association will hold a Grassroots Inter-Clubs Championship between 19 and 20 April at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The tournament is facilitated by the Office of Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, with active collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Council.

Chairman of the Fives Association, Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed, said the National Stadium was chosen because it is the only sportscity that has Fives courts in the southern part of the country.

He disclosed that 16 clubs have so far signified interest in taking part in the tournament, which is aimed at keeping the athletes busy ahead of Eko 2012 National Sports Festival.

Mohammed told P.M.Sports that “some of the clubs, both male and female teams, that are coming for the tourney include Agbolaya Fives Club of Lagos Island, AY Babes of Iba, Makawa Boys of Agege, Surulere Boys and Adeniji Boys of Lagos Island.

“This competition will be a unique one, because Fives, as a sport clocks 90 years of existence in Nigeria this month and we want to celebrate it.

“We are also planning to give some notable personalities awards of recognition to show the association’s gratitude for their support over the years.”

Mohammed, a former player-turned coach, who is also a basketball match commissioner, commended Governor Fashola for the initiative of the Inter-Clubs Championships, adding that this would go a long way in the development of sports in the state.

—Sunday Akintoye