It was a festival of football at the Obele Oniwala mini stadium as the 2023 Lagos State Street Soccer Championship officially kicked off with a series of ceremonial games featuring men, women and u-15 boys teams selected across Lagos State.
In the first game, Lagos Mainland-based Wazbak defeated their opponent Middlewell from Lagos Island 2-1 in the women’s game, while Dolphin High School defeated Kings College 2 nil in the u-15 match.
The event witnessed by the Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunleke, advised Lagos youth to step out of their comfort zones rather than wait for white-collar jobs. He charged them to take advantage of opportunities and initiatives such as street soccer competitions.
Also, Chairman of the Lagos Street Soccer Championship Committee, Bolaji Yusuf, expressed his satisfaction at the turnout as he promised a seamless competition when it kicks off later this month.
The Chairperson of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA and co-chairman of Lagos State Street Soccer Championship, Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada, said the championship is in line with the mandate of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to her, the grassroots event will provide a vista of opportunities for youth around Lagos.