CCL: Ambode assures on Agege stadium upgrade
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Football Club of Lagos, the state’s representatives in next year’s prestigious Confederation of African Football Champions League (CCL), was received on Wednesday by the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who promised to upgrade the Agege Stadium, which is the home-ground of the club to meet up with CAF standards before inspection in December.
He heaped praises on the club for returning the state back to the prestigious CAF Champions League 16 years after a team from the state last participated in the tournament.
Speaking at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, when he received MFM FC alongside top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as well as some ex-internationals, governor Ambode said it was gratifying that a team from the state would be participating in the 2018 edition of the continental tournament after such a long time, just as he pledged to assist the team with the necessary support to ensure a successful campaign at the championship.
While congratulating the team for the feat, governor Ambode particularly acknowledged and saluted the vision of MFM General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, who founded the team 10 years ago saying that the state government was proud to associate with his idea of meaningfully engaging the youths to contribute positively to society.
Responding to some requests by the MFM FC, governor Ambode donated N25milion to the footballers and officials of the club for qualifying for the CAF Champions League and another N25million to ensure a hitch-free campaign, as well as to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“I want to also say that we have directed our sports team and the Sports Commission to make sure that everything needed, just as earlier requested, to ensure that Agege Stadium is certified by CAF is done,” Governor Ambode said.
While recalling the promise he made to the people during electioneering to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and arts as well as sports for excellence, Governor Ambode said the feat by the team aptly conforms with the vision and plan of the state government to use sports to advance the economy and positively engage the youths.
While speaking on other plans for sports development in the state, governor Ambode said aside the ongoing transformation of Onikan Stadium to world class standard, a major upgrade of the Teslim Balogun Stadium would soon be carried out, while efforts were already ongoing for the Lagos Games Village located along the Lekki-Epe axis to commence in 2018.
