The Anikantama/Swamp football team haw emerged top scorers at the first day competitions, Hon. Afinni Unity Cup held Saturday, after beating Epetedo West 6-2, reports ITREALMS.
Earlier, while declaring the event open, the Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Youths and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende who kicked off the opening match, drawing the youths to embrace the spirit of sportmanship in the competitions.
The organiser and a member of the House of Assembly representing Lagos Island 11, Hon. Afinni appreciated the Chief executive governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu for the great opportunity available to the communities to make use of the larger capacity stadium considering the large turnouts of fans in the previous finals.
He described the tournaments as an avenue for both young minds and the elderly to get involved in sports entertainment which is leisure cum medical fitness than be glued to their screen for longer hours.
Disclosing the rationale behind the tournament, Hon. Afinni said its a link among the sixteen communities and borne out of his desire to showcase the Island youths to the International offers, stressing that the inclusion of sponsors and scouters is to enable the players connect to them very early.
In his remarks, Executive Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo expressed optimism on Hon. Afinni's positive impacts in the competition as a tie which unites Lagos Island youths and elders, a good indicator of the competitions, he described Hon. Afinni as a committed and reliable honourable representing the Constituency.
"The sports competition has come to stay and improving, also this is what unites Lagos. For the past three years since the competition started, we have been experiencing peace among the youths and elders in Lagos Island East, so I have to give kudos to the Honourable member representing Lagos Island East for organizing a football of this kind, it is a World Cup on the Island Constituency II," he said.
Chairman, Lagos State Coaches Association, Mr. Tairu Hassan, equally, commended the organiser for a well planned and professionalism incorporated in the game, describing it as the best grassroot competition as it conforms to the whole rules of football,in terms of referees,coaches, adding that each communities had average coaches handling them.
Applauding the organisers, Anthony Hugo of LiquiMoly Football Club (FC) Lagos, said the initiative brought the youths out of the streets to discover their talents in football, and enjoined the youths to shun cultism, drugs and be focused in realizing their dreams, as some players have been scouts.
In the same vein, Jay Uche of Collins Edwin Sports Club, pointed out the need for the players to be more focused to fit into the professional league.
The match is a win-win game as Hon. Afinni announced a sum of N100,000.00 for each participating clubs despite their stake in the tournaments which aligned with this year's theme "The price before the Prize."
One of the proud sponsors of the event, Ouranos Technologies Ltd, Human Resource Manager, Vivian Adikankwu expressed optimism on the competition, as it takes the youths off the street thereby engaging them meaningfully. She advised the youths to get more involved in the competition which metamorphosed to new connection cum networking for them.
Gbemi Omotoso/Editor
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