The duo of former Super Eagles player, Friday Elahor, and former Golden Eaglets player, Victor Obinu have lauded the grassroots soccer initiative tagged “AKD Cup” put together by the President of ALGON and chairman of 57 local government chairmen in Lagos State, Hon. Alabi Kolade David with the grand finale held on 20th Sunday, February 2022 at CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos.
The 3 -day grassroots football championship which was geared towards discovering football talents among 8 wards of Bariga LCDA brought together community leaders, APC political stalwarts, former Nigeria International players artisans not leaving out football fans who trooped out en mass to catch the glimpse of the championship.
Speaking to one of the invited guests and former Nigerian player shortly after the event, Elahor described the initiative as a step in the right direction that will not only keep the youth off the street but will help them achieve their football goal.
“We started like this from Under-15, under-16, and under-17 until we graduated to the National team where we represented our fatherland both at the continental and world level. From what I saw here, I have seen some talented players that if they’re kept together, they’ll improve and become very good players”.
“Many of them want to learn and become top players. The coaches, however, need to up their games and give the young lads the basic of the game, with that, they’re going places”. He stated.
Elahor, however, poured encomium on the organizer, Hon. Alabi Kolade David for putting together a well-crafted grassroots football tournament while urging the organizer to keep up the good work which could produce one or two players who’ll become goodwill ambassadors to their community representing their country.
Similarly, another Nigeria player, Victor Obinu also described the tournament as a wonderful sporting event that’ll keep the youth off the street and channel their energy to positive things that are more beneficial to them and the society as a whole.
“It’s a good thing that the event of this magnitude is taking place here today. It’s a wonderful and encouraging initiative and I really appreciate Hon. Alabi Kolade David for deeming it to give these young players the opportunity to exhibit their raw talent”.
“The impact, no doubt will bring out the best in them, keep them off the street, and will remain evergreen in their memory for many years to come”. He opined
Meanwhile, one of the political elites in the area and former Lagos House Assembly aspirant, Hon. Engr. Johnson Ajiboye popularly known as Jacko in his remarks urged the organizer to ensure the aims and objectives of the tournament were not jettison so as for the goal to be attained without any hassle.
“Engaging the Bariga youth as far as this tournament is concerned is very sacrosanct which will in my opinion give the youth in the area the opportunity to exhibit their God-given talent as against engaging in anything that’ll put the initiative into disrepute”. Said Ajiboye
The second edition of AKD cup grand finale has the players from ward H as the winners of the tournament leaving ward C in the silver medal position while ward F won the bronze for their efforts.
