Sports
THE Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisers of the maiden White-Collar Football League (WCFL), to boost the coverage and publicity of the competition.
The official signing of the MoU took place at the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Council Secretariat in Ajegunle-Apapa on Thursday in Lagos.
The President of WCFL, Dave Jones, said that the competition aimed to provide a platform for talented footballers within the white-collar job sector to showcase their skills.
He said that the competition would feature professionals from the business and economic communities, promoting exciting football matches.
He emphasised the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), including initiatives such as establishing an ultra-modern Tech Hub modeled after Silicon Valley in Ajegunle, among others.
On the reasons behind the partnerships with SWAN, Jones said that the sports writers were partners in progress for sporting activities.
“We formed the alliance with Lagos SWAN to reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and progress.
“Together, we will keep our stakeholders informed and engaged, ensuring that our collective efforts yield meaningful results.
“The essence of the partnership lies in its potential to transform lives and uplift communities by leveraging the platform of corporate football; we will raise funds for high-impact charitable initiatives,” he explained.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Mr Fatai Ayoola, highlighted the community’s commitment to sports development.
Ayoola expressed excitement about WCFL’s vision to fund the construction of modern facilities in Ajegunle, including a Tech Hub and a medical center.
He said that the his administration would continue to build on the past legacies from the communities to providing more Sporting infrastructure for the youth in Ajegunle and its environs.
“I am particularly excited about the vision of WCFL, which is to raise funds for the construction of two modern facilities within Ajegunle city within the next two years.
“This includes the provision of a state-of-the-art Tech Hub to develop the talents of our youths and also an ultra-modern medical center to provide affordable healthcare services.
“With the good support from my administration, this is a landmark achievement, as this noble partnership will encourage sporting excellence in Ajegunle.
“We appreciate the sports development of budding sports talents in our LG, and the signing of the MoU as a reference of excellence in the development of creative initiatives for the development of Lagos and Nigeria,” he said.
Ayoola, however, pledged that the administrators of the LG would ensure the project becomes successful beyond the local government.
Also, the Olu of Iwa and Apapa kingdom, Moroof Amodu-Tijani, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of WCFL, lauded the initiative, adding that it would revolutionise the football landscape in the communities within Ajegunle.
“I am excited to share in the vision of the WCFL initiative, which aims to create sustainable income streams to benefit the less privileged in our society.
“Starting the WCFL and the charity projects in Ajeromi-Ifelodun LCDA is the most heart-warming aspect of this initiative and thus deserves our support.
“I celebrate the creative idea of combining love for the beautiful game of football with the desire to give back to society, and I think we need more of this.
“We welcome professionals from various industries and locations in Lagos who will be coming to Ajegunle to compete and promote healthy living,” he said.
Amodu-Tijani, who is also a retired referee, said the endpoint of the game was interesting, something that would transform the lives of the youths within the Apapa Ajegunle communities.
“I was further delighted when I was informed that the goal of this initiative was to raise funds for the construction of important facilities in Lagos State, a Tech Hub, and a medical center.
“That means in the next few years, our community will have modern facilities to develop the tech abilities of the youths, attract investment, boost local businesses, entertain, and improve living standards.
“It was for all these benefits that I accepted to be the chairman of the WCFL as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
I will lead the board in supervising the allocation of WCFL’s charitable funds and ensuring their transparent and accountable usage,” he added.
On the reasons behind the partnerships with SWAN, the President of WCFL, Jones, said that the sports writers were partners in progress for sporting activities.
“We formed the alliance with Lagos SWAN to reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability and progress.
“Together, we will keep our stakeholders informed and engaged, ensuring that our collective efforts yield meaningful results.
“The essence of the partnership lies in its potential to transform lives and uplift communities by leveraging the platform of corporate football; we will raise funds for high-impact charitable initiatives.
Speaking further on the MoU, the Chairman of SWAN Lagos, Mr Debo Oshundun, said that the partnership would offer a wide range of benefits to sports writers, adding, “the WCFL project is an enterprising venture worthy of emulation”.
Oshundu said, “We are glad to be part of this movement that will open another vista of opportunities to the members of SWAN, Lagos Chapter.”
NAN reports that the WCFL will be played at the Maracana Stadium, while the Gala Night, according to the organisers, will be held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. (NAN)
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-March 29, 2024 @ 11:45 GMT|
Tags: Dave Jones Mr Debo Oshundun Mr Fatai Ayoola SWAN Lagos WCFL
