The Lagos State Football Association LSFA has expressed disappointment and anger over the recent proposed U-16 Onigando football championship and other football competitions taking place in different parts of the state.
In a statement signed by secretary of Lagos State Football Association LSFA, Okikioposu Rabiu Akeem stated that the attention of the state football ruling body has drawn to the proposed U-16 Onigando Cup and other football competitions taking place in the state in which such football competitions are not authorized by the Lagos FA.
Akeem has urged the football organisers and Lagos State Coaches Association to work with the Lagos State Government to shun any form of football or sporting activities at this moment of lockdown in the sports sector nationwide due to pandemic disease, COVID-19.
The statement reads”There is a subsisting ban on all football and sports in general as pronounced by our amiable Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and wholly supported by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF and Lagos State Football Association LSFA as part of precautionary measures to contain further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, “The statement reads.
Akeem said it is wrong for any football organiser to carry out COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines without the appropriate organs of the Lagos State government to approve the football protocols when the ban on football activities are lifted.
The scribe of the association warned the football organisers to seek at all times from the state FA endorsement of their planned football activities and participating clubs must be affiliated with the Lagos State Football Association.
Akeem, however, advised coaches, football organisers, and other sports stakeholders to adhere to the law of the land consequently suspend the planned football event until when government lift the ban in football activities with the support football protocols and the programmes conform with Lagos FA.
Meanwhile leader Alimosho football coaches council, Moses Ifeanyichukwu said his council is not aware of Onigando football tourney and urged the council members to desist from any football competitions pending the time govt would lift the ban on sporting activities.
While organiser of Onigando football cup, Prince Sulaiman Gbadamosi has shelved the proposed tourney and thanked Lagos State football Association for kindly advice.
