The third season of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship kicked off on a successful note with the sponsor’s reassurance that its commitment to the project is to empower youths as well as give them opportunity for recreation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Season of this year's competition held at the Campos Square Astro Turf, Lagos Island, Biodun Odejayi, Senior Manager, Regional Marketing Operations, MTN Nigeria, explained that following the success story of the championship since 2008, the company was glad to have partnered with Lagos State Government.
Odejayi, noted that the project involves connecting youth to their dreams, encouraging them to keep focused on their goals and desires, as well as remain on top of their game - all through the medium of football.
According to Odejayi, the enthusiasm that each player brings to the game and the team-work exhibited on the field of play was truly heartwarming, adding that MTN were excited to see the value that a project like this brings to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole as nothing unites people like football does.
He added that the MTN Lagos Street Soccer project aims at delivering a sense of real involvement and interaction with young people, by tapping into their optimism and confidence to take on all comers... and win.”
He stated that "By challenging the youth in a project such as this, it really empowers them to be active, to go after their goals and to be successful, while making friends, having fun and offering a chance to exercise and be healthy.
In a nation where the majority of the population is young, it's great to be able to give everyone the chance to join in such a strong community-themed project." we are glad to have taken that decision of being the sponsor of the novel idea conceived to give our youths a meaningful life that avails them the opportunity to succeed in life through their passion of football”, he concluded.
As a part of the success story, Omoefe Innocent Erosiafe of Planet Football Club a product of the Championship is set to embark on professional football career at 2sv International, Ole Futebol Academy, Brazil.
Erusiafe was a member of 21 Road, Festac, the winning team of the 2008 edition of the tournament that went on playing tour of Brazil where he distinguished himself with his outstanding performances, and earned a scholarship award to stay back for training. He was eventually offered professional football career opportunity after the brief stint with the academy.
Lagos State Government in collaboration with the nation’s leading telecommunication company, MTN launched the Street Soccer Championship in 2008 to identify new talents and give young footballers a chance to hit the limelight.
This year, the knock-out tournament will be keen contest among over 1000 teams, and across all 57 local government and local council development areas in the State.
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