BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
President of 36 Lion Football Club of Lagos, Liameed Olawale Gafar has expressed gratitude to God for making the club waxing stronger despite the team’s challenges in the last 23 years.
Gafar disclosed this at the 23 years club anniversary novelty match between Diaspora Lions and Home based Lions held on Friday at the FIFA legacy pitch of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Gafar in a chat with journalists confessed that the road has been rough but noted that the journey has been wonderful in the last 23 years of the club existence.
“I am thankful and grateful to God for making the club waxing stronger every year despite the situation of our country.Honestly the road has been rough but at the same time the journey has been wonderful.
“It has been rough because the club has faced many challenges which makes us to be more stronger and the same time, it has been wonderful because some of our players are currently playing in top clubs in Europe and we have some of our players who played for both senior national team and junior national teams.We also produced players for our local clubs.Today i am very grateful and thankful to God because the journey has been wonderful,” he said.
Commenting on the club anniversary, the football born administrator said he was satisfied with the organisation and large football fans who came to rejoice and celebrate with the club.
He however expressed appreciation to the fans, friends, well wishers, Journalists and coaches who added glamour to the anniversary saying that the year 2024 would be a year of manifestation for the club.
“The year 2024 is a year of manifestation for the club and we would continue to produce quality players to NLO, NNL and premier clubs.We have been doing it and we would continue to do it.We want to serve as an incubator for Nigerian club sides and other clubs outside the country,”he said.
Meanwhile home based Lion FC played 2-2 with Diaspora Lion in the anniversary match that lived up to expectations.
U-16 graduation match also played among the 36 Lion that based in four various places in the state.The graduation match was won by 36 Lion of Iwaya.
Uzor Moses emerged as Diaspora Lion player of the year, while some awards were given to outstanding players who have done well for the club un thr outgoing year.
