BY RAYMOND NWADUBA

The maiden edition of Vi-Foot  MS 12 Super League 2003 successfully came to an end in Lagos at the weekend with plenty of funfair and pleasantry. 
The competition, which started back in July, saw all the teams playing a total of 11 matches each to determine the eventual winner, FC Bethel Sporting which amassed the highest number of points 27 points to emerge as the overall champions.

FC Bethel Sporting though tied on points with their second team who also had 27 points from the same number of matches played, but were with a superior goals difference to emerge tops while Sunshine FC finished third on the table with 24 points.

Speaking after the grand finale held at the Paddington Mini stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the convener of the program, Ejika Abuodima, CEO, VA Global int'l, thanked the Lagos state government, the FA, the various teams that participated in the tournament, fans for their support.

He said that they at Vi-Foot Nigeria are happy about the milestone they have achieved  in dragging their partners Vi-Foot Canada to partner with them in building a future for their young gifted players,  stressing that basically they will be promoting their young players, selecting the best amongst them that they will take to a tournament in France next year.

Abuodima stated that football is a process which is why they are determined in laying down a suitable structure or platform for the young players to help them achieve their dreams in life even outside football, because according to him, you might start as a player early on in life but end up not becoming a professional footballer at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, we also spoke to their Vi-Foot Canada partner, Shederack Mmunga, who revealed unequivocally that they decided to venture into the project with Vi-Foot Nigeria because they believe there are lots of football talents in Africa. 

He further stated that Africa already has a base which they can work on by providing a well grounded structure that can offer or provide a lot of good to these players, pointing out that through the project they will have to teach the players other things not just football so that they can succeed in their life whether through football or other things.
The Canadian-born investor told us he was really impressed with the quality of games he saw on the final day and even during the opening matches which he watched live at home in Canada through the link, he said.

Sporting Director/Head coach FC Bethel Sporting, Nathaniel Olagunju, decried the shortage or challenge of playing facilities which he noted was their greatest constraint during the tournament, so much so that they had to play at different pitches till even the final.

He therefore appealed to the government and well meaning Lagosians to invest more in this area to ameliorate the suffering of grassroots players and coaches.