Championship
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, April 10, 2018 (NAN) All is set for the inaugural female amateur football competition organised in honour of the wife of Gov. Akinwunmi Amboden of Lagos State, Bolanle, on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grassroots tournament was put together by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on sports, Adeyinka Adeboye.
The competition was conceived to give talented girls opportunity to showcase their skills and be discovered.
Addressing a news conference and draws for the tournament on Tuesday in Lagos, Adeboye said the grassroots competition will leverage on the achievements of sports development in Lagos State.
“The dearth of female tournaments have necessitated the Bolanle Ambode Women Football Championship.
“The event will mark a turn of fortune for the women folk and talents discovered who will be encouraged to take their careers to the next level.
“Female football in Lagos is on upward path with the discovery of national teams players such as Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and the likes; the women championship will enhance grassroots football development,’’ he said.
While commending the first lady’s passion for girls and women development, Adeboye said the magnanimity of Ambode was pivotal to the tournament and pledged to stage a befitting competition.
The Executive Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kamal Salau-Bashua, pledged the support of the 57 local government and LCDA to the tournament.
Bashua described the initiative as the one that would change the landscape of developmental competition in Lagos.
NAN reports that 16 amateur teams were drawn to compete in the tournament scheduled to kick off on Wednesday at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium.
Papa Queens FC and Dream Stars Ladies Feeders team will play the in the opening match.
In other matches scheduled for Wednesday, Jagunmolu Queens will face Kadesh Queens, Vision Queens will square up against Royaltom Queens and Lakeside Queens do battle with Jojo Queens.
The competition is scheduled to end on April 29 with the finals billed for the Agege Stadium. (NAN)
KOJE/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)