…Lauds Okocha, Puyol’s Contributions
To Football Development
Puyol, a three-time Champions League winner is in Nigeria on a three-day visit to lead the UEFA Champions League Tour connecting with consumers and football lovers.
Governor Ambode, who was represented
by the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh, also
received Nigerian football legend, Austin JayJay Okocha, who was part of the
delegation.
Speaking while receiving the trophy,
Governor Ambode expressed excitement with the fact that the organisers of the
tour considered Lagos as one of the states to visit, adding that the
development was particularly gratifying more so that the synergy between sports
and entertainment as well as tourism had been massively played up in the last
four years.
The Governor also lauded the
contribution of Puyol and Okocha to the development of the round leather game
in Nigeria and worldwide, saying they deserved to be appreciated and
celebrated.
“I must say I am very pleased with
the organisers of this Trophy Tour for deeming it fit to take the UEFA
Champions League Cup to Lagos. We are particularly excited because our
administration has focused on the synergy between sports, tourism,
entertainment and the arts, among others and the people can see the positive
effects of our efforts in that regard.
“We are pleased to also welcome
Barcelona FC and Champions League legend, Carles Puyol to Lagos, as well as our
legend, JayJay Okocha to Lagos House. Many of us underrate this legend that we
have and just yesterday, I understand Puyol had a very difficult time on the
field of play in Uyo when JayJay had to give him a few tricks.
“Unfortunately, JayJay did not get
to play for Barcelona; he would have lifted the Champions League but I must say
we appreciate what Okocha has done for Nigerian football. If you have a player
that is sometimes compared to Messi, Maradona and spoken about in the same
breath, then we know we have a star in our midst and so I like to thank JayJay
for his contribution to football,” Governor Ambode said.
He said in order to ensure a
successful Trophy Tour, the relevant security and government agencies have been
contacted, assuring that all the activities lined-up as part of the tour would
be hugely successful.
While wishing the team a successful
tour in Nigeria, Governor Ambode said the State Government would be glad to
receive the trophy back in the State in the nearest future, just as he assured
that the government remained committed to make Lagos the sports hub not just in
Africa but the entire world.
Speaking earlier, Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, organisers of the Trophy
Tour, Mr Jordi Borrut Bel thanked Governor Ambode for warmly receiving the
team, saying the Trophy Tour was specifically organised to bring the tournament
closer to fans.
He said as part of the tour, there
would be a road show from Maryland Bus Stop to Ikeja City Mall, among other
activities.
Besides, he commended Governor
Ambode for his well-though out policies and projects in all sectors and
sections of the State, saying the Governor deserved to be appreciated for also
creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State.
“I will like to say that this visit
is a great opportunity for the management team of Nigerian Breweries to
appreciate Governor Ambode on the success that he has recorded in the last four
years of administering the State which is a testament to the fact that well-thought
policies have been implemented as has been witnessed in security, in
transportation, in health, in welfare sectors in the State, and particularly in
the continuous construction of impactful infrastructure as well as the
Governor’s focused and dynamic leadership in the State.
“We also want to thank the Governor
for sustaining a supportive business environment in the State,” he said.
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