8th Akindele gold Cup for U -15 Boys, Girls soccer finals kicks off in Lagos
By Uzor Odigbo
The initiator of the 8th edition of U-15 Boys and Girls, Dr. Bola Akindele announced the football tournament will commence in Lagos with 32 teams competing for trophies.
The sponsor, during a media chat also announced the sum of N2m for winners of both categories.
Tournament sponsor who said his passion for the youths motivated him to channel his resources to grassroots football in the last seven years and expecting nothing in return.
“The Intension is in providing opportunities for our talented young boys and girls to horn their soccer talents and be useful to themselves, parents and Nigeria in future”
“I am aware that this competition had produced players who are now in the Nigerian league and the Junior national teams in both categories.
The company is not sponsoring this grassroots football for profit-making, rather we are doing this as part of our corporate social responsibility.
“At the final ceremony, winners in both male and female categories would be rewarded with the sum of N400,000 with a trophy. We would also give first runner up N300,000, while third and fourth position would pocket N200,000 and N100,000 respectively,” he said.
In the boys category, the opening match would be played between Guidon Smart and Latoyam FC on Saturday at the Ojoniyu Sports Centre, Ebute-Metta, Mainland.
The grassroots soccer competition organised annually by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association is aimed at promoting football development and create a platform for the youngsters to showcase their talent.
Dr. Akindele, however, said the competition was borne out of the need to engage youths while hoping that the youngsters will seize the opportunity of the competition to develop their career.
Dr. Akindele presented trophies for the finals to the organisers as he acknowledged the contributions of private organisations and well-meaning individuals to sports development, noting that the government must continue to provide opportunities for talented youth to excel in their chosen careers.
He also promised to invite the National Sports Commission (NSC) director general Hon. Bukola Olopade to attend the grand finale of the competition in Lagos
The sports philanthropist expressed his satisfaction with the success achieved so far, as some talents discovered from the tournament are now representing junior national teams and playing for professional clubs in and outside the country.
Meanwhile, 32 male and 24 female teams, drawn from different parts of Lagos, will participate in this year’s competition.
The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association secretary, Aliu Olawale Ganiu, applauded the sponsor for his passion for the round leather game and reaffirmed readiness to stage a befitting tournament.
The finals and closing ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 20 at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos Island
