BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Chairman of Lagos State Principal Cup Committee, Rasaq Ajala, has expressed confidence that the organising committee would live up to expectations to organise a memorable and hitch free Lagos principal Cup which begins next month across the six educational districts in the state.
Ajala made this assurance while addressing journalists and other sports stakeholders at the press conference held Tuesday afternoon in Lagos.
In his opening speech, Ajala thanked Lagos State Football Association board led by Ogboni Fouad Oki for the support given to the commiittee to actualise its dream.
Ajala, who doubles as Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, said he was excited that the the oldest inter schools football competition tagged Lagos Principal Cup Championship is back, adding that this year’s edition would be better organised than previous editions in area of organisation, officiating, match venues as well as improving on security measures and safety of the students.
“As the Chairman of the Lagos State Principal Cup Committee, I expect better and hitch free competition. The era of using mercenaries, over aged students and fighting during and after the tournament had gone for good.
“We want to rebrand the Lagos Principal Cup and part of the measures we put in place is to ensure that all the participating schools get the copy of our handbook where rules and regulations of the competition are stated,” he said.
In his remarks, Chairman LSFA, Ogboni Fouad Oki thanked the commiittee led by Ajala and reminded stakeholders that the issue of football development in Nigeria cannot be completed without mentioning the famous Principal Cup.
He said the principal Cup is an avenue where future players, coaches, referees and football administrators should be discovered and made reference to years past where national coaches attended Principal Cup to scout for players for the national teams and professional clubs.
“Many of our ex internationals and the so called legends today have benefited immensely from the Principal Cup. Some of them who played then got scholarship to go to abroad, while some were invited to the national teams and professional clubs because of their impressive performance at the principal Cup .
“We are trying to bring the good old days back where Lagos Principal Cup Championship would be an avenue to discover talents for future national junior teams or professional clubs. I strongly believe that this committee would not only deliver but make this year’s edition a memorable and hitch free competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, over 500 schools are expected to participate in this year’s edition.
A total of 24 teams are expected to qualify from the preliminary stage of various categories of the competition.
This year’s Lagos principal Cup would witness junior and senior in both male and female categories.
The organisers had stated that private schools would involve in this year’s edition.
In the preliminary stage, private schools would play one another, while eight would emerge to join 24 public schools for the round of 32 play off. 32 teams will be drawn into 8 groups, while the top two schools in each group would qualify for the round of 16.
