Governor Fashola Commends Mutiu on Lagos International Football Tournament …As Organizers Unveil Mega Plan for July Tournament Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola has commended ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju aka headmaster for his ingenuity, deep thinking and plan for the upcoming Lagos International Football Tournament (LIFT), assuring him of the government’s partnership and support for the annual soccer initiative. Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Governor at a briefing yesterday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, expressed the preparedness of the Lagos State Government to partner with Mutiu Adepoju intiative in the hosting of the tournament, as a demonstration of her commitment to the development of sports, especially, the game of soccer. According to him, the tournament has come at a time the nation is relishing the joy and excitement of the Super Eagles’ victory in the recently concluded AFCON Championship; and the need to consolidate the gains and benefits of EKO 2012. “Therefore, this tourney is timely, unique and coming from the stable of one of Nigeria’s greatest football icons, Mutiu Adepoju , you will agree with me that it cannot come at a better time. I have absolute confidence that, the people of Lagos and Nigeria at large will experience real football excitement with the caliber of the teams that have been lined up to participate in the Lagos soccer fiesta” he concluded. [[ In his own remark, the initiator of the tournament, ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju said “what else can I do other than to appreciate the almighty Allah, the government and people of Nigeria for the goodwill, love and support that I have received from them during my 25 years foot-balling career. I feel it is important to give back to the society, and one way of giving back is through LIFT, an annual soccer fiesta which would help to re-position the game of soccer not only in Nigeria in particular, but Africa in general” he posited. The Lagos International Football Tournament (LIFT) is an annual football fiesta designed to promote and enhance the quality of the game of soccer both in terms of strategic management, organization and tactical implementation of policies and programmes in Nigeria and globally. For the maiden edition which is scheduled for July 25 to 28 at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos will have the following teams in attendance; Ismaily SC, Egypt, Asante Kotoko, Ghana, RCD ESPANYOL, Spain & Kano Pillars, Nigeria. The tourney will also provide opportunity for youth football clubs to mingle, train and interact with their soccer stars and icons during the football clinic which has been packaged for the benefits of the various football academies in Nigeria. During the tournament, RCD ESPANYOL of Spain will also use the opportunity of their trip to Nigeria to launch their Youth Team in Lagos, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:45:20 +0000