Lagos FA Boss, Gafar Carves Out Uniqueness Of Ex Internationals Cup

By Saheed Afolabi

The chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajji Gafar Liameed has drawn out the impacts and uniqueness of the Ex Internationals Cup.

The second edition of the Ex Internationals Cup is scheduled to hold in Lagos as 32 former national team heroes leads their teams to glory.

Gafar revealed that the progress of the competition made 40 ex International to show interest but they could only admit 32 that signified concern early enough.

He said players will have the opportunity to gain from the football intelligence and brilliance of the ex internationals which will therefore have a positive impacts on performance and career.

“The uniqueness of this one is the presence of all the ex internationals, 32 of them. We almost got about 40 but the 32 that registered first, that showed interest first are the ones we’re going forward with, and it’s using history to create history.

“The ex internationals that have served the nation now using their name and their football IQ to encourage the young ones. Another good thing is the boost from the bet9ja foundation. It’s a huge boost for us, across the board all over Nigeria, I have not seen this kind of sponsorship in any football space.

So bet9ja coming on board and literally allowing us to shine is a uniqueness of this year, and as you can see, the press conference and the draw is more or less like bringing a European style of draw to Nigeria, to Lagos and that’s it.

“It would do a whole lot of good to them. It will inspire them, it will also encourage them to want to play for Super Eagles. You know, the endgame and the core concept is to make sure that we have players that are going to be playing for Super Eagles, willing and aspiring with a whole lot of energy and tenacity to want to always play for Super Eagles.

By seeing Yakubu Aiyegbeni, seeing Waheed Akanni, Friday Ekpo, Friday Elahor, Wasiu Ipaye that have played for this country before, now coaching them only does one thing; inspire them to also want to play for the national team.”

The Lagos FA boss stated that the impacts of the competition draws out joy on the faces of the ex internationals who are basking with beaming smiles as they know, they are being celebrated alive and also players who stand to gain from their tutelage and who are excited to see match clashes among favorites.

“Well the impact is what I’ll call football joy, you know in football, let’s say we have a 90 minute game, at the 94th minute extra time, still at 1-1. Then all of a sudden, a team scored and it was 2-1, so you see joy and despair.

“So this one is no despair, it’s all about joy. The ex internationals coming out, beaming with smiles knowing that someone somewhere remembers them, and remembers what they have done for the country and now recognizing them and bringing them out from their shells and coaching the young ones.

“You know, as a footballer, the only thing you can hope for is to inspire the young ones. Now they’re not only inspiring with what they have done, they’ll be inspiring with them nurturing and coaching and getting the young ones to the next level.”