The Sports-loving Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s commitment to host a befitting International Women soccer competition at the Aisha Buhari Invitational.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the Centre of Excellence go down in history as the best ever host of International football events in modern day Nigeria, with the upcoming Invitational Women’s Football Tournament.
The Nigerian Sports City was handed the task of hosting the first-ever Invitational that would see the continent’s powerhouses in women’s football; Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Mali and Morocco, test their strength in a celebratory and convivial atmosphere.
The Director of Organisation for the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament, Aisha Falode, said “the city of Lagos is not new to hosting big time sporting events.
“It parades a number of world class sports facilities in different parts of the state and also cerebral sports administrators in its fold.”
It’s most delightful to see the fantastic world class upgrading of the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium (formerly Onikan Stadium), the Teslim Balogun Stadium and the Agege Stadium (The Soccer Temple), to meet the peculiarities of a high profile tournament like the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup.
Falode, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, said: “Lagos had hosted the African U-20 Championship in 1995, the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 1999, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000, FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009 and indeed qualifying matches for the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and AFCON for all categories of the national teams both male and female. Not leaving out NPFL, NNL, NLO and indeed NWFL Premiership League matches, among others with flawless and seamless deliveries.”
Falode, also the Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League noted that; “Lagos had always gone the extra-mile hosting top notched women football competitions.
“It usually goes with special touches as it was the case on two occasions they hosted the elite Nigeria Women Football League Premiership Super 4 at the Agege Stadium, popularly called, ‘The Soccer Temple,’ in 2018 and 2019.”
These events stood the test of time as the most glamorous and best ever organised in any clime.
A glimpse of what the state can do as host featured prominently when the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Lagos state to brief him on the football fiesta.
The Governor restated his undying love for the women’s game, overwhelming joy to host the football showpiece and readiness to unlock the beauty and hospitality of the state to participants.
Governor Sanwo-Olu told the LOC members during the visit that; “Women’s football has continued to pull its weight and it’s almost at par with the men’s game in the euphoria that it generates, the sheer class, stamina, excellence and expertise that the players put on display.”
He added said: “Lagos State is delighted to be named as host of this very important invitational tournament.”
“We will aim to not only host a tournament befitting of the name and positive values that Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria projects and promotes, but also want to showcase Lagos and the country at large through an efficient and effective organisation that will be talked about for a long time,” he explained.
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that; “the opportunities available in football are boundless, so we are committed to delivering a successful and model event that will spur us to encourage and support women’s football in our institutions of learning in Lagos State.”
Falode reiterated that: “The Aisha Buhari Foundation with its theme ‘Future Assured’ is an advocacy outfit vigorously canvassing for the well-being of women, children and adolescents.”
According to him, It tries to optimise the potentials of women, youth, and children through interventions in health, education, and economic empowerment.
“Aside football, the event will aim to sensitise Africans on the benefits of sports to global development. It will address issues affecting women in developing countries with specific reference to the place of the girl-child in the society,” the Director of Organisation said.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
