Federation Cup: Fashola presents new trophy to NFF

At an impressive ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja on Monday, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), handed over the brand-new, all-silver, giant-size Federation Cup competition trophy to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Fashola took a break from the Executive Council meeting to meet NFF President, Aminu Maigari; 1st Vice President, Mike Umeh; Executive Committee Members Chris Green and Ayodeji Tinubu; General Secretary, Musa Amadu; the Lagos State FA Chairman, Seyi Akinwunmi; his deputy, Tade Azeez; and other members of LSFA.
And in the full glare of his full Council, Fashola handed over the trophy, saying he wanted the Federation Cup grand finale never to leave Lagos again.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Hon. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, introduced the members of the NFF and LSFA, saying the donation of a new trophy for the Federation Cup competition served to underscore Fashola’s continued support for the growth of Nigeria football.
In his remark, Fashola noted that the Federation Cup, which had been variously known as Challenge Cup and FA Cup, boasts a rich history, not only in Nigeria but round the universe.
He said that legends have been made from the event.
He recalled great Nigerian names such as Muyiwa Oshode, Ismaila Mabo, Haruna Ilerika of blessed memory and the expressive Kenneth Olayombo.
Fashola said: “The donation of this new trophy is to re-enforce my suggestion that the final of the Federation Cup should not leave Lagos State again.
“This is because; this is where it all started. The final of English FA Cup has been played at Wembley for as long as anyone can remember, except for the few years that the venue was not available.
“With a definite venue, players and teams generally will look forward to a destination and a dream. That adds to the glamour of the competition. It is our hope that this new trophy will rekindle great competition and re-awaken Nigerians’ interest in the Federation Cup.”
Responding, Maigari extolled Fashola and expressed the appreciation of the football-governing body for the huge support it continues to receive from the government and good people of Lagos State for its programmes.
He hailed the motive behind the idea of a new, all-silver trophy for the Federation Cup, while commending the Lagos State Government for several initiatives, innovations and excellent football development programmes personally powered by Fashola himself.
Incidentally, Lagos is one of the four centres for the group stage of this year’s Federation Cup competition, which began on Monday.
The grand finale of this year’s competition has been set for August 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The other centres are Bauchi, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.