Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan Lagos would go down in the history of Nigeria football, particularly, in Lagos State, as the board of Lagos State Football Association led by Hajji Gafar Liameed, in conjunction with the State's Female Football Development Committee, successfully held a 1-day football development and mentoring programme for over 400 young boys and girls.

 

The 1-day football began at 7am-10am, for the boys with the duo of NFF Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen and the FIFA/NFF Youth Scheme Director, Nasiru Jibril, mentoring the boys, with drills and practical skills acquisitions. 

 

The second programme of the day, tagged, 'It's  Time For Girls', aged 7-15 years began immediately, with over 20 coaches from the various football councils of the State, taking the obviously excited lasses through  physical drills, ball works and pocket sized 5-aside games.

 

The programme went full gears, as the girls were resplendent in beautiful jerseys sponsored by some of the event's partners, engaged in training games, where some talented girls were scouted for further development through the Eko Football Initiative.

 

It was not just about playing football, the girls, had the opportunity to be mentored by several former female footballers, football stakeholders, investors and business men and women, who gave the excited and joyous girls, with life-changing speeches on different aspects of life, including sports education, financial literacy, and life improvement nuggets.

 

Another interesting highlight of the event was the decision of one of Lagos State and Nigeria's elite female referees, Yemisi Akintoye, who promised to pay the registration fees for a young girl who declared her interest to become a football referee.

 

In his welcome address, Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Gafar Liameed, said he was happy to see the young girls at the event, even as he noted that the girl-child is special and must be treated with love and care at all times. 

 

While appreciating the efforts of the LSFA Female Football Development Committee, he promised that the LSFA, will continue to support and help to develop female football in the State.

 

In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Female Football Development Committee, Alhaja Raliat Anako Abdulsalam, expressed her delight with the impressive turnout of the participants. Even as she gleefully promised that the event will get better and bigger in subsequent editions of the programme.

 

Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende representing the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, was welcomed by a tumultuous ovation to the event, by the excited kids. He was full of praises for the organisers of the event, which he described as historic, timely and in sync, with the developmental programmes of Lagos State Government. 

 

The youthful Ogunlende added that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is youth friendly and would continue to support such initiatives, which are aimed at empowering the youth of the State.

 

Some prominent football personalities who graced the event as mentors and supporters, include SSA On Sports To Governor Sanwo-Olu, Hon. Damilare Orimoloye, Hon Adebanji Adeoye, SSA Grassroots Sports and Hon. Damilola Ayinde Marshal, SSA On Tourism.

 

Others include representative of one of the headline sponsors, Lotus Bank, Adeoye Afeez Abiodun, who is also a LSFA board member, former Super Falcons goalkeeper, Ann Chiejine-Agumanu, CEO of TopPro Sports Management Company, Ayodele Thomas, NWFL Chairperson, Miss Nkechi Obi, as well as, the full complement of LSFA board members.

 

The organisers thanked the sponsors and partners including Lotus Bank, Tingo, TopPro Sports Management Company, Alert Group, Ivory Health Club, 36 Lion Investment Limited, KidSports, Ladies In Sports, Raliat Anako Abdulsalam Foundation (RAAF) and Afro Sport, for ensuring the event was a huge success.