The second edition of the African Minifootball Nations Cup began on Thursday at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, with a colourful opening ceremony witnessed by an impressive number of spectators and guests including Oyo State deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan.
President, African Minifootball Confederation (AMC) and World Minifootball Federation (WMF), Achraf Ben Salha, in his remarks said that the facility provided by Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort was of a world-class standard.
“I’m happy this tournament begins after the postponement last year due to coronavirus.
“With what is on the ground here, Ilaji Sports Resorts can host the world because I’m really proud to be associated with Ilaji boss, Engineer Dotun Sanusi,” he said.
National President, Nigeria Minifootball Association, Honourable Oluyemi Taiwo said that: “Bringing together the most talented and gifted amateur footballers for this continental tournament is tremendously exciting and this country is very proud to be associated with it.
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“As a stepping stone to the professional international football games, this tournament provides a wonderful opportunity for the footballers and coaches who gather here in Nigeria for this tournament. There is no better experience for young sportsmen than being selected to represent their countries in an event of this stature, importance and magnitude.
“This event serves as a valuable platform for grooming rising young talents for higher honours. The players and coaches in this tournament have the opportunity and chance to be the stars of the future. That’s a fabulous opportunity.
“This is the second tournament. There have been significant improvements on the last edition of this tournament held in Libya in 2018.”
Also, Chief Executive Officer, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Engineer Dotun Sanusi said opening ceremony of African Minifootball Nations Cup is a great milestone for them as a corporate organisation saying what they envisioned a couple of years ago is gradually coming to reality.
He said his organisation has taken conscious efforts to ensure that all the facilities that both the players and the officials will need are on the ground, hence they are excited to see this competition commence today.
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“With all sense of modesty, this evening and in this Stadium, we have staked a claim as one of the foremost hospitality and sporting outfits in Africa and I want to say here without mincing words that this is just the beginning. We are hosting African Nations today and we are determined to host the World in no distant future.
“Our journey into strategic sporting alliances began with our partnership with SWIEQI United FC of Malta and not long after, we were able to secure the franchise of Malaga CF of Spain; this partnership with Malaga CF has given birth to Malaga CF Nigeria Academy. I am happy to tell you that we have players from Manchester in the United Kingdom and Dakar, Senegal that have enrolled in our Academy and they along with about a hundred academy players are residing in this Resort.
“Less than six months ago, precisely last December, we hosted a world title fight between a Nigerian, Ridwan Scorpion and Lucas Matias Montesino, an Argentine. Also Malaga CF Academy Coach, Marcos Antonio and a football agent from Portugal were here for about a week for a coaching and football clinic. Therefore, hosting international competitions is more or less a regular exercise for us here at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort.”
Meanwhile, former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju said he was happy to be ambassador of the tournament, adding football is a unifying factor in the world, not only in Africa.
Top artiste Fabulous Pizzy thrilled spectators with songs at the event.