At an impressive ceremony inside the Council Chambers of Lagos State
Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja on Monday, the Executive Governor of
Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) handed over the
brand-new, all-silver, giant-size Federation Cup competition trophy to
the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Governor Fashola took a break from the Executive Council meeting to
meet NFF President Aminu Maigari, 1st Vice President Mike Umeh,
Executive Committee Members Chris Green and Ayodeji Tinubu, General
Secretary Musa Amadu, Lagos State FA chairman Seyi Akinwunmi, deputy
chairman Tade Azeez and other members of LSFA. And in the full glare
of his full Council, Fashola handed over the trophy saying he wanted
the Federation Cup grand finale never to leave Lagos again.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development,
Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi introduced the members of the NFF and LSFA,
saying the donation of a new trophy for the Federation Cup competition
served to underscore the Governor Fashola’s continued support for the
growth of Nigeria football.
In his remark, Governor Fashola noted that the Federation Cup, which
had been variously known as Challenge Cup and FA Cup, boasts a rich
history, not only in Nigeria but round the universe, 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,”
said Governor Fashola.
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, 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,
August 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The other centres are Bauchi, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.
follow me on twitter@aderonkew
Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja on Monday, the Executive Governor of
Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) handed over the
brand-new, all-silver, giant-size Federation Cup competition trophy to
the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Governor Fashola took a break from the Executive Council meeting to
meet NFF President Aminu Maigari, 1st Vice President Mike Umeh,
Executive Committee Members Chris Green and Ayodeji Tinubu, General
Secretary Musa Amadu, Lagos State FA chairman Seyi Akinwunmi, deputy
chairman Tade Azeez and other members of LSFA. And in the full glare
of his full Council, Fashola handed over the trophy saying he wanted
the Federation Cup grand finale never to leave Lagos again.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development,
Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi introduced the members of the NFF and LSFA,
saying the donation of a new trophy for the Federation Cup competition
served to underscore the Governor Fashola’s continued support for the
growth of Nigeria football.
In his remark, Governor Fashola noted that the Federation Cup, which
had been variously known as Challenge Cup and FA Cup, boasts a rich
history, not only in Nigeria but round the universe, 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,”
said Governor Fashola.
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, 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,
August 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The other centres are Bauchi, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.
follow me on twitter@aderonkew
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