Sports City football fiesta will promote sport, empower youth, says Gbajabiamila

Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, on Monday said that the maiden Sports City Football Fiesta would aid football development and empower youth in Lagos.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1 and end on Feb. 2, 2016 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Gbajabiamila, the sponsor of the tournament, represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives.

He said at a press conference that nine wards in the constituency would participate in the tournament alongside the LGA team and veterans in the locality.

“We all know that football is the greatest unifying element that can foster peace in any society and keep a lot of youth off the street.

“The main purpose is to enhance football in this area and engage our youth in sport and as it is popularly said, charity begins at home.

“The reason why the competition will be extended to 2016 is because the competition will go on a break due to the festive period and resume in February,’’ he said.

Gbajabiamila said that effort would be made to widen the scope of the tournament in subsequent editions.

He urged stakeholders involved in the tournament to work toward the success of the competition.

Seyi Akinwunmi, the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), thanked the sponsor for organising the tournament.

He said that the association would give the needed support to the organisers to have a hitch-free event.

“Football is an enigmatic unifier that can bridge any gap and we are happy that this competition is going to hold in Lagos,’’ he said.

Akinwumi warned the participants against acts of violence and hooliganism.

“Team supporters should shun any act of hooliganism that could disrupt the success of the competition,’’ he said.

Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and member of the organising committee of tournament, said that the event would be given adequate publicity.

Elliot promised that the tournament would be packed with lots of fun and entertainment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participating teams are drawn into two groups.

The winner will take home the sum of N1million, first runner-up would get N750, 000 and the third would earn N500, 000.