Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Gafar Liameed, has reiterated the importance of grassroots football development in Lagos State during the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-International Press Conference and Draw ceremony held at the National Institute for Sports Hall inside the National Stadium Surulere.
Sports247 reports, that the Lagos FA chairman delivered the opening speech at the event held on May 22, 2026, emphasizing the broader vision behind the competition.
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Liameed explained that the initiative is designed to return football development to the grassroots while creating opportunities for communities across Lagos State.
“The concept is to take football back to the grassroots, and this second edition will be a home and away format across all 20 local government areas in Lagos,” he stated.
The football administrator also described the tournament as a bridge connecting past football legends with future generations of Nigerian stars.
“We are using history to create history,” he added.
“The likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and others will also join the history after their retirement.”
Liameed used the occasion to appreciate several dignitaries and stakeholders who attended and supported the initiative.
He acknowledged the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who was represented by Aisha Falode.
He also appreciated the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, who represented Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event.
The Lagos FA boss further recognized the presence of the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, who represented the Governor of Lagos State.
Special appreciation was also extended to former Nigerian international Waidi Akanni, who serves as the Ex-International Coordinator for the competition.
During his speech, Liameed highlighted the steady growth of football in Lagos, pointing to clubs such as Inter Lagos FC, Sporting Lagos FC, and Ikorodu City FC as examples of the state’s growing football structure and ambition.
He concluded by stressing that the presence of former internationals in the competition would positively impact young players, inspire communities, and further strengthen grassroots football development across Lagos State.
