BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Congressmen of Annual General Assembly Lagos State Football Association have approved the amendment of the 2023 statutes and other activities of the state football ruling body ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The LSFA Annual General Assembly held on Saturday morning at the indoor hall of Thomas Okoya Indoor Hall Center, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Board members of LSFA, divisional chairmen, media and other football stakeholders attended withness and observed the approval and endorsement of the LSFA activities.
Part of the amendment of the 2023 statutes that are approved are acceptance of Ikorodu City FC as NPFL representative /delegate, and acceptance of Smart City FC as NNL representative/delegate.
Others resolutions passed are the creation of the position of 2nd vice chairman from the 2027 elective Congress.
Other resolutions passed by the congressmen are 2024/25 budget presentation/approval, Appointment of an Audit Company to audit the LSFA accounts and sanctions for refusal to release players by football clubs/academies for state competitions.
Commenting on the Annual General Assembly, Chairman of LSFA, Hadji Liammed Olawale Gafar said the body is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a perpetual improvement in the delivery of football development within Lagos State.
He also explained that the Congress is a celebration of football as a result of the improvement of coaches and referees through various capacity building and proper education.
He used the AGA to congratulate the Lagos female football team for winning the gold at the just concluded 2024 National Youths Games held in Asaba, Delta State.
“I am happy today to announce that Lagos is the winner of 2024 gold medalist (girl category) at the National Youth Games, Delta and 2023 Best Grassroots Football Development State in Nigeria by pitch award, an award endorsed by Nigeria Football Federation NFF,” he said.
In his own comment, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sports to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Damilare Orimoloye commended the AGA saying that all the resolutions passed are for the growth and the development of football in the state.
While a member of the women’s football committee of LSFA, Barrister Doyin Aina welcomed the resolutions but had reservations about the sanctions for refusal to release players by football clubs for state competitions.
“It was a successful AGA and all the amendments of 2023 statutes were approved by the congress but I would like the congress to look into the appropriate sanction of the coaches who refuse to give their players for state competitions. I think the congress should review this decision and find a common ground how the coach and LSFA can solve it if such things occur in the nearest future instead of sanctioning such coach,” she said.
Ikorodu DFA chairman, Alhaji Lookman Sonibare expressed delight with the resolutions passed by the congress saying that this is new dawn for football in Lagos State.
In his own submission, Leader Agege Coaches Football Council, Ajayi Olumide welcomed the resolutions and commended the LSFA for the successful Annual General Assembly.
