Fashola donates new Fed Cup

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on Monday donated a brand-new, all-silver giant-size Federation Cup competition trophy to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF at a ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja.

While addressing the NFF chieftains in Alausa, Fashola noted that the Federation Cup, which was previously known as the Challenge Cup and FA Cup, boasts a rich
history, not only in Nigeria but around the world, saying that legends have been made from the event.

He recalled great Nigerian names like Muyiwa Oshode, Ismaila Mabo, Haruna Ilerika of blessed memory and the expressive Kenneth Olayombo.

“The donation of this new trophy is to re-inforce my suggestion that the final of the Federation Cup should not leave Lagos State again.

“This is because, this is where it all started. The final of English FA Cup has been played at Wembley for as long as anyone can remember, except for the few years that the venue was not available.

“With a definite venue, players and teams generally will look forward to a destination and a dream. That adds to the glamour of the
competition. It is our hope that this new trophy will rekindle great competition and re-awaken Nigerians’ interest in the Federation Cup,”
Governor Fashola said.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who introduced members of the NFF and LSFA to Fashola,
said the donation of a new trophy for the Federation Cup competition served to underscore the governor’s continued support for the
growth of Nigeria football.

Responding, NFF President Aminu Maigari extolled Governor Fashola and expressed the appreciation of the football-governing body for the huge
support it continues to receive from the Government and good people of Lagos State for its programmes.

He hailed the motive behind the idea of a new, all-silver trophy for the Federation Cup, while commending the Lagos State government for
several initiatives, innovations and excellent football development programmes personally powered by Governor Fashola himself.

Incidentally, Agege Stadium in Lagos is one of the four centres for the group stage of this year’s Federation Cup competition, which began on Monday.

The grand finale of this year’s competition has been set for Sunday, 26 August at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.