Lagos State government, under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been called upon to give the axis of Badagry, Ijanikin and Ojo a befitting stadium that would further enhance sports development in the area.
This appeal came from the team director at Bilda Football Academy, Dare Soyingbe, who disclosed in an exclusive chat with Sports247 that the area, which is under Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA), has produced many talented players who went on to play for top European clubs.
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Among them are Victor Agali, Saheed Adeshina, Paul Onuachu, Saheed Adeshokan, Emmanuel Okoduwa, Isah Eliakwu, Ezekiel Henty, Charlibe Okolie, Chima Uchechi, Femi Otuagbuna, Abiola Dauda, Omonigho Dafe and Zikiye Jonathan, among many others.
Incidentally, Badagry Division is also the immediate constituency of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) chairman, Hajj Gafar Olawale Liameed, whose club, 36 Lion FC, started training at Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), which happens to be one the area’s most prominent edifices.
Incidentally, one of Soyingbe’s mentors and founder of the vastly successful Young Stars FC of Satellite Town, Coach Osahon Emokpae, was recently appointed as the sole administrator of BDFA, on a mission to revive the body’s fading glory.
While acknowledging the ideas that he and two of his younger brothers (Yemi and Segun) gained training under Coach Osahon during his days with National Grassroots Dream Team, Dare Soyingbe stressed that he wants to develop many hidden talents who can go farther than he did in the round leather game.
The player-turned-administrator, who grew up playing grassroots football at LA Primary School, Isashi and other venues in the axis, stressed that a stadium owned by Lagos State government is long overdue for the division, which has also produced many FIFA-badged referees.
Soyingbe stated, “I love discovering talents and I want to do more of it, just like Coach Osahon groomed me in my playing days.
“I’m currently working to see how I can help some other boys move out of Nigeria to Europe very soon. It will be possible, by the grace of God.
“I also hope to see Bilda Football Academy get to a stage where we would be able to take players to European clubs regularly.
“To make this easier for my team and other progressive youth clubs around us, Lagos State government should help us with a stadium in Badagry area.
“Presently, we don’t have any good pitch or sports complex in that area, and it’s affecting the growth of football in the entire Badagry Division.”
