A “trophy tour’’ of all states in the South-West zone by organisers of the forthcoming Western Nigeria Governors’ Cup Football Competition will begin on Monday, an official said last Tuesday.
Akin Akinbobola, the Executive Secretary of Western Nigeria Football Forum (WNFF), told newsmen that the organisers have already concluded arrangements on this.
“The Forum is fully prepared for this task ahead of it,’’ he said.
Akinbobola said the Trophy Tour would run from Monday to October 12.
“The Trophy Tour will start from Lagos State, and this is between Monday and September 26.
“The trophy will then move to Ogun, Ondo and Osun States with the state Governors expected to receive the trophy.
“The Trophy Tour will end in Oyo and Ekiti States on or before October 12.
The WNFF executive secretary said the Trophy Tour would involve officials of WNFF, the various state football associations and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commision.
“Also, the state commissioners in charge of sports and their colleagues in charge of regional integration in the concerned states will be involved,’’ he said.
Akinbobola added that the Trophy Tour was aimed at carrying along the people in the various states, as well as the state governors, in the project named after them.
“We are fully ready for the Trophy Tour of all states in the South-West, because there is no way we can host such a multi-cultural integration football event without the people, and especially without the various state governors being involved.
“Their involvement is important, particularly as they have individually and collectively shown that they have tremendous interest in the development of football in the zone.
“The tour will also help in the sensitisation of the public to the importance of the competition, which will hold later in the year.’’
Akinbobola commended the chairmen and secretaries of the six state Football Associations (FAs) of the South-West Zone for their vision and cooperation regarding the Western Nigeria Governors’ Cup.