Press Releases

Lagos To Engage 700 Young People During MTN Street Soccer Championship - Fashola

Aug 16, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Sunday disclosed that the State would provide employment opportunities to about 700 young people over the next four months during the MTN Street Soccer Championship which kicked off this weekend.

According to Governor Fashola who spoke at the Campos Playing Ground in Lagos, venue of the flag off of the second edition of the Championship, the 700 people are in addition to the 5550 players who would be participating in the competition on behalf of the 555 teams spread across the state.

He added that during the next four months, 300 young people would be employed every weekend to clean the pitch while another 100 would be engaged as stewards.

He emphasized that 10 doctors, 10 physiotherapists, 30 Nurses, 100 referees and 150 groundsmen would also be provided with jobs for which they would earn salaries and allowances every weekend over the next four months in the state.

Governor Fashola explained that the competition would be a show for the young ones while the elders will take a back seat and watch them do it.

He emphasized that this administration has a special bias for young people, which is responsible for programs like the Polio eradication campaign, reintroduction of voluntary and social clubs, commitment to education and the development of parks and playgrounds.

The Governor said this is being done through a methodical approach to revitalize sports and energize young people.

He expressed the conviction that Nigeria can create a class of sportsmen who can earn a living by using their talents to attain sporting glory as it is done elsewhere, stating that what need to be done is to go back to the basics.

He added that the best places where the talents can blossom are the streets, saying many of the famous players that have donned the Nigerian colours were discovered on the streets.

The Governor opined that just as Africa is planning to host the World Cup in 2010, the continent has the capabilities to raise a team of young players who can win the trophy.

He reiterated that the continent has the potentials to produce a football league that is greater than the European league because the talents abound here.

He said from the talents he observed at play during the opening ceremony, Lagos has the capacity to lead the nation, saying what is expected of the government is to provide the atmosphere to allow them flourish.

He congratulated MTN for doling out N105Million for the sponsorship of the second edition of the MTN Street Soccer Competition, adding that this year’s edition is not only bigger in terms of contents and attendance, it is also assuming international dimension.

Governor Fashola expressed the hope that just as Ghana is featuring in this year’s competition; the message would spread round the African Continent for wider participation.

As part of the opening ceremony, All Stars team of Lagos lost to Corporate Lagos by a lone goal while Lagos Street Soccer team defeated the Ghanaian counterpart by 2goals to nil in another match.

The symbolic cheque for the sponsorship of the competition was later presented to the Governor by Chief Marketing Officer of MTN. Mr Bola Akigbade.

The opening ceremony was witnessed by the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele, Special Adviser on Sports, Dr Dolapo Badru and Chief Marketing Officer of MTN. Mr Bola Akigbade among several other dignitaries.