The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Copa

  • FCMB promotes sports, tourism through beach soccer tournament

    FCMB promotes sports, tourism through beach soccer tournament

    The sporting and tourism sectors in the country is set to receive a boost as one of Nigeria’s reputable financial institutions, FCMB, has once again established itself as a leading backer of beach soccer tournaments on the African continent.The event scheduled for December 13th-15th 2013 is also supported by Eko Atlantic and represents the third edition of this thrilling international beach soccer tournament primarily sponsored by the bank. Tagged ‘Africa’s biggest beach soccer event’, the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament –is an exhilarating presentation of the world’s favorite game and forms part of an exciting weekend of non-stop action that caters to both sports enthusiast and fun seekers. Players from Germany, Senegal, Nigeria and Lebanon, will meet on the beautiful beaches of Eko Atlantic to compete for the championship title.

    “COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament features more than just the thrill of watching a beach soccer competition,” says the organizers’ Project Manager, Michael Smith. “We are fortunate in Lagos to be surrounded by a beautiful coastline and this is a unique opportunity to build an electrifying beach culture through sports and tourism.”

    It is expected that almost 10,000 spectators within and outside the country will attend the three day event to watch the defending champions, Nigeria, take on Germany, Senegal and Lebanonin a keenly contested battle for the coveted International Beach Soccer title. “We are always excited to see the large turnout from communities of the participating countries that come and support their respective teams,” says Smith.

    The event which is organised by Kinetic Sports already enjoys the support of Beach Soccer worldwide and having strong brands like FCMB and Eko Atlantic will strengthen the perception of the local economy and provide visible exposure to a global market.

    In addition to world class beach soccer matches; those attending will enjoy local food, a fashion show, cheerleaders, and an after party with live DJ and concerts compliments of the tournaments sponsors.

    “It is great soccer, it is great fun and FCMB and other sponsors are presenting a great opportunity for avid sports enthusiasts, visitors and fun-seeking local and international tourists to join in,” says Smith.

  • COPA Lagos beach soccer tournament: ‘Late preparations threaten Sand Eagles’ chances’

    Audu Adamu, the Head Coach of Super Sand Eagles, has observed that late preparations for the COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer Tournament might affect the team’s performance in the competition.

    Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) should address the issue before it was too late.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian team would be defending their title, having won the 2011 and 2012 editions of the tournament. The tournament, which is being organised by Kinetic Sports Limited, will hold from Dec. 13 to Dec. 16 at the Eko Atlantic Beach in Lagos.

    “I know my players will always give 100 per cent of their dedication, but if we don’t prepare early, it may affect our chances of retaining the trophy. Look at the calibre of teams coming for the tournament. The league competitions in their countries are functioning, unlike what we have here.

    “Lebanon’s league is on, so are those of Senegal and Germany, who are the African and the world champions respectively. So, we need to get our players in top form before the competition starts. By Saturday or Sunday, or latest Thursday, we should be in camp hopefully,” Adamu said.

    NAN reports that Senegal, Germany and Lebanon have been invited to participate at the four-team tournament.

  • Sand Eagles need at least three weeks to prepare for Copa Lagos 2013 – Coach Ejoor

    Copa Lagos 2013 is scheduled for the Eko Atlantic from December 13 till the 15th and Germany, Senegal and Lebanon have confirmed their partipation in Africa’s biggest beach soccer event.

    The coach of the Nigeria national Beach Soccer team, Adamu Ejoor is optimistic about the tournament but hopes that he will have enough time with his players.

    Senegal beat Nigeria in the Africa qualifiers for the World Cup 9-8 and Ejoor said his team did not have enough time to train.

    “We could have made the World Cup but we did not prepare well. Senegal are physically strong though we are tactically better but good preparation would have helped us but we just had eight days to train before going for the qualifiers. Our players are on their break right now so we need at least three weeks to get them in shape for the tournament, Ejoor said.

    Ejoor also said that Lebanon are going to be real challengers as it took World Cup experience to beat them last year at the Copa Lagos. “They are physical okay and are also good technically but we believe we still have a slight edge and also the home advantage, he added.

    The coach added that though Germany is an unknown quantity to him and his players, they would treat them like Portugal and Brazil, countries that they beat last year to retain the Copa Lagos trophy.

    Copa Lagos Season 2013 which is already enjoying the support of Banking giant FCMB will also have some of Nigeria’s hottest musical acts on the beach for three days with fashion shows also on the bill.

  • COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer: Okemiri promises good outing

    COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer: Okemiri promises good outing

    Ogbonna Okemiri, a Sand Super Eagles defender, on Tuesday promised that the team would perform creditably at the COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer Tournament scheduled for Dec. 13.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Okemiri said the country could boast of talents in the sport for a good outing.

    NAN reports that the 3rd edition of COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer Championship is holding from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15 at Eko Atlantic Beach. The Sand Super Eagles won the 2012 edition of the tournament.

    Former European Champions, Germany, is one of the countries expected to participate at the tournament.

    “We have the talents, all we need is support. We also need more awareness and publicity for beach soccer to thrive.

    For now, focus is on U-17 and they are doing well. We also have our U-20 women trying to qualify for World Cup and all these are taking the shine off the beach soccer for now.

    “Be that as it may, I know that we are a dedicated team and we intend to follow the instructions of our coaches,” Okemiri, a former Kwara United FC player, said.

    On the postponed pre-tournament camp earlier scheduled for Oct. 25, Okemiri said the cancellation of the camp for players was not good enough for the image of the team as defending champions.

  • Football will once again meet lifestyle

    Football will once again meet lifestyle

    • Reveal organisers of Kinetic Sports

    December 2013 will once again see the lifestyle event of the year as organisers of COPA Lagos Beach Soccer, Kinetic Sports Management (KSM); have officially announced the launch of this year’s edition. From the celebrity line up, artist performances to the top-notch fashion show, this year’s entertainment line up this year will surpass all expectations.

    According to Samson Adamu, the CEO of Kinetic Sports: “Our tagline was carefully chosen to ensure people understand that we are committed to bringing an annual lifestyle event –it’s much more than football it’s a lifestyle. It is a promise we have made and we intend to keep it.”

    As the plans for the 3rd edition kick off, extra attention is being paid to the entertainment angle of the event. The organisers are optimistic to bring the best beach Soccer teams to Lagos to compete with defending champions but that football will definitely compete with the huge side attractions. Improvements are being made to the line up of the previous years. And additional details are being added.

    The first two editions saw cheerleading squads from the UK and Spain – Scottish Rockets and Personal Plus, numerous top artists such as WizKid, Burna Boys, Dammy Krane, Ikechuwku, Neato C, Davido, Sauce Kid, Sound Sultan, Skales, Eva, Black Magic, Black Magic, Solid Star. The fashion show has exhibited world-renowned labels such as Eki Orleans, Grey, Clan, Republic of Foreigner, Tebalize, Kola Kudus and Sunny Rose. Not to forget the celebrities and dignitaries that graced the event; David Dein, Ladi Balogun, Aminu Maigari Ali Baba, Stephanie Okereke Linus.

    While still keeping most of the details under wraps, KSM has promised that there will be reoccurring artists and celebrities.

  • Showbusiness, football hallmarks of Copa Lagos 2012

    Showbusiness, football hallmarks of Copa Lagos 2012

    THE 2012 edition of the just-concluded Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament has come and gone; but some football enthusiasts will continue to relish their experiences at the Eko Atlantic beach.

    The fans that thronged the venue of the tournament described it as a world-class event which kept them enthralled from the beginning to the end. In addition to the actual football matches which featured Nigeria, Lebanon, Portugal and Argentina; the Copa Lagos organisers thought it fit to spice the tournament with a bit of show business. At match intervals, bikini-clad damsels entertained fans with their well choreographed routines which left many of the fans drooling and asking for more. This was an initiative that Samson Adamu, Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, organisers of the tournament, said was necessary to make the 2012 edition better.

    “Kinetic Sports is a company that organises beach soccer every year. We learnt from our mistakes last year and this year, we have tried to improve: that’s what we modestly tried to do. Last year, we were rookies in it but this year, we are getting better. It still has a long way to go but this is a very long way from what last year was,” he said.

    When asked why the company’s emphasis was on beach soccer events, Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it accommodated all the things they did. “It’s another form of football, its sports and entertainment and we have what it takes to make it work for us,” Adamu said.

    Sharing the same view with Adamu was ace comedian, Ali Baba, who urged other entrepreneurs in the country to join hands in enlarging the scope of the Copa Lagos tournament.

  • Sand Eagles ready for Copa Lagos

    Sand Eagles ready for Copa Lagos

    CAPTAIN OF the Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles, Isiaka Olawale has confirmed his teammates’ preparedness for the second edition of the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship.

    The tournament, which involves four nations, is expected to start next week from Friday to Sunday at the Eko Atlantic Beach in Lagos.

    Olawale, 29, who lifted the trophy last December for Nigeria told supersport.com that it would be great for his career to lift the title again this year.

    “Last year, we made Nigerians proud as we were the only side that put smiles on their faces as the Super Eagles and the Olympic team failed.

    “I am very sure of winning the tournament again considering how good my teammates are in camp, but I want to plead with the NFF not to allow what happened to us last year occur again. They should come to support us, as we are the only team left this year playing in any competition for Nigeria,” Olawale said to supersport.com.

  • Copa Lagos organisers unveil plans

    Copa Lagos organisers unveil plans

    ORGANISERS of the forthcoming, COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament have said it was going to be the best interactive ever.

    Kinetic Sports Management has released their plans on how they intend to make the 3-day Beach Soccer tournament holding between December 14 and 16 a huge success via social media.

    Already through Facebook fans are able to have their say on which teams will participate in the competition. Organisers have introduced a prediction app which allows fans to have their say on who they would like to see this year. The app has proved itself to be a popular new feature, those successful in predicting the correct teams will land themselves some hot prizes. Fans are being told to make their predictions as soon as possible, the first team to compete at this year’s Copa Lagos is due to be announced on Monday 24th September.

    This is not the only feature, the 2nd edition will feature live match day updates via twitter. The events army of twitter fans will benefit from live updates, caption competitions, the ability to vote for their man of the match and many more. Management intend to give fans a greater say in the tournament and boost engagement to create a whole new generation of Beach Soccer fans.