Sports
MR Damilare Orimoloye, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sports, on Friday, said the state would henceforth support football clubs based in the state.
Orimoloye said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reflecting on the activities and interventions of the state in 2023 and plans for 2024.
NAN reports that Lagos State now has one of the largest concentration of football clubs, with one Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, six Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs and two Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) clubs, among others.
Knowing the enormous responsibilities in running the teams, and to create a conducive environment for them to thrive, Orimoloye said it had become imperative for the state to take partial ownership of the clubs.
“We are ready as state government and Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) to support all the teams resident in the state without leaving any behind.
“We all felt the pain when MFM FC was demoted from the elite league and we don’t want a repeat of that in Lagos State. In fact, we won’t give room for it.
“We want to sustain elite football league in Lagos State, so we will give every needed support through the mandate of our sports loving Gov. Sanwo-Olu.
“Gov. Sanwo-Olu has declared that every football club representing Lagos State will be getting support, he is now taking ownership that these clubs are Lagos flag bearers and that they are his teams,” he said.
Orimoloye, who is also a board member of LSFA, said the football clubs in Lagos State would not be left to carry the burden of administration alone as the state FA was ready to bear some of the responsibilities.
“Our jobs is to deliver the mandate of the governor, we are going to support these teams in whatever capacity, and I can say that one of the female clubs had already enjoyed such privilege.
“We are also helping some of the football clubs to get private sponsorships from investors.
“From henceforth, whenever any of the football clubs is going for competition, we will supply physiotherapist and additional trainer under the bill of the government to boost the technical crew.
“This is our commitment towards supporting football mostly loved by Lagosians. We know that Lagos is a sport city,” he said. (NAN)
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-December 29, 2023 @ 17:43 GMT|
Tags: Damilare Orimoloye Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
