Lagos governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, today unveiled his plans to give sport lovers an experience of a lifetime as the state hosts this year’s 2nd African Cup of Nations Beach Soccer Tournament starting on December 13.
While unveiling the plans at a media briefing held at the indoor sports hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, top government officials and members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) said the 5-day event would go down on record as the best Beach Soccer event that Africa had ever seen.
“Lagos is Number One, when it comes to sporting and entertainment. We believe in the efficacy of sport to sell a mega city as Lagos – the Centre of Excellence and the 5th largest economy in Africa,” said the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
He revealed that the governor had recognized sports and entertainment as the two components that could put Lagos on the world map.
“Five new stadia are coming to Lagos as part of the budget for 2017. This is in continuous fulfillment of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of making Lagos an International sports hub,” Ayorinde said. “As you can see, FC Barcelona Youth Academy had started in Lagos because Barca has an ally in the state. The state government has planned a package for the Yuletide which will commence immediately the competition ends with the first ever Lagos City Carnival.
“It will also organise the Lagos State fiesta which will hold simultaneously in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island divisions ending on December 31. This year’s events have been well planned to ensure that people relax and enjoy themselves during the Christmas and New Year festivities under tight security.”
The LOC Chairman, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, said: “I’m very proud this is happening in Lagos. We’ll make this the best Beach Soccer event that Africa has ever seen.”
In his address, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, noted that Lagos is the most hospitable state in Nigeria, adding: “I believe we are going to have a pleasant hosting.”
According to the draws announced at the event, Nigeria falls in Group A, alongside Egypt, Ghana and Cote d’ivoire. Those in Group B are: Madagascar, Libya, Morocco and Senegal.
The LOC Chairman assured that tickets for the event would be cheap enough to accommodate everybody.
Other dignitaries at the event included: the Chairman, Ghana Football Association, Mr. Kwesi Yankachi; ACP Wale Abass, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola; the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Mr. Damola Kasunmu; the Director of Organisation and CEO Kinetic Sports, Mr. Samson Adamu, and the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu, who announced that there would be bus shuttle from different locations for fans wishing to be at the venue to cheer the teams at the event.