A non-governmental organisation , Global Sports Exclusive Promotion (GSEP), is seeking support for its Lagos Community Shield Project to boost football development at the grassroots.
Founder Olarenwaju Saidi stated as he recently unveiled 21 youngsters under his organisation’s umbrella, adding talented players within 15 and 18 years were sourced and screened from over 20 local government areas in the state.
Some of the players paraded include Adeleke Wasiu Mayowa, Bajoko Ibrahim Oluwasegun, Akinwale Saliu Ayo, Ndubuisi Jonathan and Mohammed Abdulahhi.
“We took the boys from the streets by engaging the community development associations (CDAS) and Organising a tournament through them,” he said. ’’ Initially, there were over 600 players, but that the number was pruned until we get these sizeable talented ones.”
Saidi, a board member of the Lagos State Sports Commission, said the concept of the project was to combine sports with the education of the youth so that their training would be total.
He said the organisation had approached one a South Africa-based soccer academy for more training of the players, adding and they needed funding to assist the youth travel out.
He added that the project has been endorsed by the state government even as he thanked some of its sponsors including Tolaram Nutri, Beverages Limited-manufacturers of Goodlife Magik juice.