LAGOS has said it is delighted that the state was chosen to host the inaugural edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament and promised to ensure that the competition is successful.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the pledge to the members of the Local Organising Committee of the tournament led by Nigeria Football Federation Vice President/Chairman of Lagos State FA, Seyi Akinwunmi, who paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Marina, on Friday.
The Aisha Buhari Cup is expected to involve the Super Falcons and several other women’s national teams from across Africa in September.
“Football is one of the lead factors that bridge the gap and bring communities closer together and is enabling a more exciting world,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“The women’s game has continued to pull its weight and can be said to be presently at par with the men’s game in the euphoria that it generates, and the sheer class, stamina, excellence and expertise that the players put on display.
“Lagos State, the state of aquatic splendour, is delighted to be named as host of this very important invitational tournament. We will aim to not only host a tournament befitting of the name and positive values that Her Excellency projects and promotes, but also want to showcase our State and the country at large through an efficient and effective organisation that will be talked about for a long time.”
The governor told the organisers that his administration was working hard on improving sporting infrastructure across the state.
“We have signed contracts to build nine
mini-stadia across the state and these will be of immense value to the youth of this country who are highly talented but only need infrastructure to nurture to world standard.”
Sanwo-Olu promised that the ongoing renovation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium will make the facility the best in the country and assured that the state would be ready and proud to host First Lady Aisha Buhari during the tournament. “The opportunities available in football are boundless, so we will commit to delivering a successful and model event that will spur us to encourage and support women’s football in our institutions of learning
in Lagos State,” he added.
Pinnick said: “I want to specially thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for the role he has played in supporting the Super Eagles and other national teams, but let me say here that the month of September is a loaded one. The Super Eagles will kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying race against Liberia in Lagos on 3rd September, and then fly from here to play Cape Verde
away. The Aisha Buhari Cup is a very big project, because nothing must go wrong. We want to do it so well that subsequent editions will have a template to fall back on.”
Chairman of the LOC, Akinwunmi, praised Sanwo-Olu for his support and encouragement of football in Lagos State and nationally, and pledged that the committee will organise a tournmaent worthy of the name of the First Lady and which honours the Centre of Excellence.
The Director of Organization of the tournament, Aisha Falode, said hosting the competition is a big opportunity for Nigeria to make a
statement.
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