The Elephant Club of Agege has received praise from the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawudu, for its more than 20 years of social effect in football competition in the Agege community.
Dawudu gave thanks at the opening games of the 2022 Elephant Cup Competition, which took place at the Ashade Ogba Palace in Agege.
The commissioner, who was represented by Mr. Damilare Orimoloye, a member of the governing board of the Lagos State Sports Commission, said that the club had contributed to society in a number of ways during the course of its more than two years of existence.
“Our Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is trying to make the state the sports hub of Africa.
“We are using sports to unite the youth, showcase talents, and promote peace and progress in various communities.
“We thank the organisers, the Elephant Club of Agege, for these initiatives of 25 years in this community.
“Though the football competition is not up to that, we can see the progress, the quality, and the maturity among the players, teams, and the fans,” he said.
Young people can now choose football as a career because it is officially recognised as a profession, according to Mr. Akin Oshungboye, the acting chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission.
“This tournament especially in this community has enhanced trades.
“When the game is ongoing, you will see traders who make some sales during the matches,” he said.
Mr. Felix Ajanaku, the chairman of the Elephant Club of Agege’s football committee, declared that the social club would continue to support its programmes for youth soccer and talent identification.
Ajanaku announced that the club would award scholarships and support to underprivileged kids and students in the neighbourhood to mark its 25th anniversary.
He claims that participants in the current competition will have the chance to try out for professional clubs, and competition winners would get delectable prizes.
The defending champion BIT FC and SKINRARA FC drew 2-2 in the 5-Aside football tournament at Ashade Palace in Agege.
OLOKE FC and HASSEMBLY FC battled it out to a 2-2 draw, while UNIQUE FC crushed ARYA ATOBAJE FC by a score of 5-0.
