History was made Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Westwood Hotels, Ikoyi, as the Challenge Cup, latterly the Aiteo Cup, and Federation cup, was officially renamed the President Federation Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, Ministry of Sports Development and a renowned finance company, GTI, signed a partnership, that is expected to bring more vibrancy, interest and uncommon passion to the oldest football competition in Nigeria.
The well attended ceremony attracted the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Atinuke Watti and all the top Directors of the Ministry.
Also in attendance were all the top management team of GTI and the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
Speaking at the ceremony
the Group Managing Director of GTI, Abubakar Lawal, while expressing his belief in the fortunes of Nigerian football, said despite the negative vibes surrounding Nigerian football, he and his firm, GTI, have true belief in the greatness inherent in Nigerian football.
" I want to announce to Nigerians that we have kick- started the transformation journey of taking Nigerian Football to the next level with GTI involvement as strategic partners to the NFF on the Federation Cup.
He explained that as strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier League ( NPFL) they've taken another bold step to support the FA Cup noting that his company is strategically involved in ensuring that the most glamorous and oldest domestic competition football event in the country becomes one of the best organised event in the world in no distant future".
In a true reflection of the agelong history and importance of the championship to the socio-cultural development of Nigeria, and coming on the back of the infamous 1967 Nigerian civil war.
Ibrahim Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation, was obviously happy with the new and positive stances in Nigerian football.
Gusau expressed his satisfaction with the new partnership with GTI, as it concerns the rebranding of the agelong Nigeria Challenge Cup.
GTI is strategically involved in ensuring that the President Federation Cup is given the necessary support to thrive, using the Nigeria Football Trust Fund as vehicle to the dream.
The Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh in his remarks, commended GTI for being partners in progress expressing hope that the transformation the company has brought to the NPFL would be replicated in the Federation Cup with an appeal to GTI to consider extending their goodwill to other sports.
" I'm pleased with what GTI has achieved with NPFL. Their proposal and impressive track record as leading investment banking firm in Nigeria with expertise in sports management and development convinced us of their suitability for this partnership.
" I am confident that this collaboration between the NFF, GTI and the Ministry of Sports Development will restore glory, increase viewership and breathe new life into the President Federation Cup.
" With the signing of this agreement with GTI, we aim to reestablish the renamed competition in the national and international football calendar, involving grassroots teams, creating employment for approximately 500,000 Nigerians, engaging over 100,000,000 football enthusiasts; rejuvenating talent pipelines , fostering national pride and showcasing Nigeria's greatness globally.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Atinuke Watti noted that there will be no meaningful development without partnership and that the agreement will enable the Ministry focus on it's primary duty of developing sports just as she stated that they look forward for more partnership with other well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies.
The President Federation Cup will become President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's legacy, championing Nigerian football.
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