Sports

Published

5 years ago

April 22, 2022

Lagos State Is Hub Of Grassroots Development-Stakeholders

By Akeem Busari

Football stakeholders have described Lagos state as the hub of grassroots football development in Nigeria. Recent research and investigations by Sports Chronicle Magazine showed that Lagos state has become a beehive of grassroots football activities.

According to the findings of SCM, grassroots football teams are enjoying a conducive environment, made possible by Lagos State Football Association. There are a plethora of grassroots football competitions taking place simultaneously in different parts of the state.
According to Badagry-based grassroots football promoter, Sola Smart, Lagos State is undoubted, the leader in grassroots football development.

” Grassroots football is thriving and developing in Lagos state because the State FA is equally committed to the development of football at the grassroots level. I am saying this because, unlike some states in the country that pays lip service to grassroots football development, Lagos FA have overtime proved to be willing partners in this aspect,” the youthful football administrator remarked.

Coach Dominic Etim, who is the proprietor of Baraka football academy, noted that grassroots teams in Lagos are always busy competing in one tournament or the other. He was full of praises for the several grassroots football organizers and sponsors for their roles in developing Nigerian football, as well as, helping to take the youths off the streets.

SCM also discovered that most local government areas in the state are replete with mini or Olympic-sized pitches for the use of the grassroots football teams, therefore, giving birth to several local football leagues and championships. Prominent amongst these government-owned facilities is the Odion Ighalo O2 Arena in the famous Ajegunle area of Lagos state, which recently played host to some matches of the Lagos State FA cup.

In a recent interview with Sports Chronicle Magazine, Lagos State FA Chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who also doubles as the 1st Vice-President of Nigeria Football Federation, was effusive in praises for the grassroots football stakeholders in the state. He commended their steadfastness and commitment to the development and growth of football at the grassroots levels in the state.

” Lagos State Football Association is, indeed, proud of the football stakeholders in the state, particularly, at the grassroots levels. Despite the strangulating economic situation in the country, they have continued to ensure that football in Lagos state thrives.

“I am equally happy and proud to tell you that we have a properly structured football ecosystem and with an enviable success template,” the experienced and high resourceful football administrator stated.

Akinwunmi further remarked that the emergence of some youth players, like former Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani and highly rated Akinkunmi Amoo, who were discovered at some Lagos FA youth football programs on the national scene, are testimonials of the workable and result-oriented programs of the state FA.

It was also discovered that Lagos State is one of the leading states in female football, with hundreds of young female footballers scouted at different grassroots football tournaments plying their trades with several club sides in and outside the country, as well as, the various female national teams.

Notwithstanding the enviable successes achieved in Lagos football, Akinwunmi noted the need for more financial support from corporate bodies and well-placed individuals.

” We appreciate the support from organizations and individuals towards the development of football in this state, however, we need more support. Football is big business and I believe it can get better and bigger, with more corporate and individual support,” Akinwunmi stated.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

20 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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