Eko Football League: LSSC Reiterates Commitment To Sports Development At Grassroots

Nigeria - The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Oluwatoyin Gafaar, has reiterated the determination of the State Government to develop sports at the grassroots.

He stated this during the draw event for participating teams in the Y2020/2021 Eko Football League at the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) Office, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, noting that the ceremony officially heralded the kick-off of the Football League across the State. Gafaar expressed his happiness towards the return of competitive football games with the Eko League, stressing that everything is being done by the present administration to bring football back to Lagos, through top competitions like the previous Oba Cup, Challenge Cup and others. "There were times that Lagos was the centre of highly rated Football Competitions. Lagos State Government is ready to support any initiative to bring football back to the State, as it was in the 70s and 80s, as part of efforts to enhance sports development at the grassroots", he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association and Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, thanked the Lagos State Sports Commission for its continued support of the Lagos Football Association. He said the Association is planning on improving the standard of the Eko Football League in order to use it as a platform to create opportunities for the young ones, as well as to keep them busy from indulging in mischief, adding that competitive football matches will soon witness a resurgence that is similar to what obtains in the Lagos of yesteryears. Akinwunmi, however, warned that any participating team that misbehaves during the League competition will be dealt with accordingly, saying "We are going to ensure fairness among participating teams, but misbehaving teams will be severely sanctioned".