The Lagos State Government launched the second edition of the Lagos Street Soccer Stars tournament in Oshodi last Saturday, distributing playing kits to 32 teams before the start of a two-week knockout competition. The event offers a total prize fund of N5 million, along with consolation awards.
Held under the theme “Oshodi Hidden Talents,” the competition is being organised by Adebanji Atewogboye, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Grassroots Sports. First Bank Nigeria Plc and Sporty Lagos Naija Limited are supporting the initiative.
The tournament will continue until 15 August and is part of the state’s wider programme to finance and strengthen grassroots sport across its 57 local governments.
Atewogboye, widely known as SKIBANJ, said the project reflected Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to developing sport at community level. “The programme began last year to discover hidden talents, provide them with structure and demonstrate that Governor Sanwo-Olu is investing in their dreams,” he said.
The launch also featured an anti-drug awareness programme led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Participants were cautioned that the use of hard drugs can damage athletic performance and were encouraged to reject substance abuse.
Rain did not prevent community leaders, coaches and residents from attending the ceremony. APC representatives from Oshodi-Isolo were also present, including the local government chairman, Hon. Saheed Animashaun, who praised the organisers for staging what he described as a commendable event.
