By Akeem Busari 

 

History was made Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Westwood Hotels, Ikoyi, as the Nigeria Football Federation, Ministry of Sports Development and renowned finance and management trust company, GTI, signed a partnership, that is expected to bring more vibrancy, interest and uncommon passion to the oldest football competition in Nigeria. 

 

The Challenge Cup, latterly the Aiteo Cup, and Federation cup, was today,  officially renamed the President Federation Cup, in a true reflection of the agelong history and importance of the championship to the socio-cultural development of Nigeria, and coming on the back of the infamous 1967 Nigerian civil war. 

 

The Group Managing Director of GTI, Abubakar Lawal, while expressing his belief in the fortunes of Nigerian football, said despite the negative vibes surrounding Nigerian football, he and his firm, GTI, have true belief in the greatness inherent in Nigerian football. 

 

Ibrahim Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation, was obviously happy with the new and positive happenstances in Nigerian football. He expressed his satisfaction with the new partnership with GTI, as it concerns the rebranding of the agelong Nigeria Challenge Cup. 

 

Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, remarked that," it was imperative to rejuvenate the Challenge Cup  now called the President Federation Cup. Adding that it was to reignite interest among fans ans elevate it to global standards."

"By signing this agreement with GTI, we aim to reestablish the renamed competition on the national and international football calendar, involving grassroots teams, creating employment for approximately 500,000 Nigerians, engaging over 100,000,000 football enthusiasts, rejuvenating talents pipelines, fostering national peide ans showcasing Nigeria's greatness globally.

The President Federation Cup will become President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's legacy, championing Nigerian football,".