2nd June, 2010
Last week Friday would remain in the hearts of residents and sports-loving people in FESTAC Town, Lagos, Nigeria, because it marked the day when Amuwo Sparklers, a football club belonging to Amuwo Odofin Local Government, was launched amid pomp and pageantry.
Speaking during the ceremony, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Executive Chairman of the council said the team was put together to enable the council present a formidable team during the forthcoming Lagos State Junior League competition.
He charged both the players and the team’s handlers to train well in order to attain greater heights and be good ambassadors of the local government, stressing that all necessary machinery would be put in place by to help the team achieve success.
According to him, each member of Planners Football Club which won last year’s MTN Street Soccer Competition was given $300 on their way to Brazil while Jennifer Nrumo ,who won the highest number of medals in the swimming competition of the just concluded Lagos State Sports Festival “Ibile 2010â€, was given a scholarship of N250,000 per year among others.
Responding on behalf of the newly formed Amuwo Sparklers, Mr. Kennedy Anyawu, head coach of the team, said the 24-member team would not disappoint as all the players are raring to go for excellence.
In a related development, Bablo Football Club which won this year’s MTN Season 3 was formally received by Comrade Adewale who described the team’s success as a landmark achievement which must be commended by all.
He urged members of the team, who would be travelling to the land of Nelson Madiba Mandela for the World Cup 2010, to meet people and network properly, noting that they must be cautious and avoid the dreaded HIV/AIDS scourge while watching the most glamorous soccer mundial.
The local government boss emphasized the need for the players to blend their football artistry with education so that they do not become hangers on even after quitting the stage, stressing that their recent success must not go into their heads so that a lot more could be achieved in future.
Meanwhile, 401 Road Planner FC, which won the first edition of MTN Street Soccer Competition, has qualified for the first Gulder 5-A-Side Football Competition throughout the country.
The football club, which represents Lagos State in the Gulder competition would face Federal University of Technology Akure team, the Ondo State representative, on Monday at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Prince Edoh, team manager of 401 Road Planners FC has assured his fans that his team would not disappoint.
—Adebobola Alawode