Lagos State Government in partnership with Kinetic Sports is set to hold the biggest annual beach soccer carnival in Africa, the 2017 COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament scheduled to kick off on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th December, 2017 at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
According to the organisers, like in previous editions, this year’s edition will feature a combination of sport, music, fashion and celebrity entertainment that will draw into to the night.
Eight teams comprising of four of national teams and club sides will feature at this year’s COPA Lagos. The national teams are; Nigeria, Lebanon, Morocco and Spain. Arsenal, Gidi Sharks and the Kebbi makes the team for the club sides.
Speaking at a press conference at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday to herald the commencement of the event, Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, said Lagos state government will continue to place more focus in sports and tourism.
“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode places a high premium on sports and that is why he is in support of sporting events that bring joy and excitement to the people of the state,” Ayorinde said. “Lagos State government is driving tourism through arts, entertainment, culture and sports, and Governor Ambode will not allow sports to take a lesser role in his vision for a great Lagos.”
Samson Adamu, CEO Kinetic Sports praised Lagos state government for its support.
“I’m happy that Lagos State is partnering with us because COPA Lagos is about sports and entertainment,” said Adamu.
“This is the seventh year of the event and we have done something special by forming the Gidi Sharks, a Lagos team of young beach soccer players drawn from different parts of the state.
“Also for the first time, with the help of Lagos State Government, the Arsenal Beach soccer team will be coming to COPA Lagos. This will be their first time in Africa. Lagos State already helped raise the profile of beach soccer as with their assistance, the last Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations was the best ever, in terms of standard and attendance.”
Deji Tinubu, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Sports, assured that Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, will grace the event, which he describes as one of the end-of-the-year fun activities in the state.
This year’s event will also feature the club challenge that will consist of Pepsi Football Academy with the introduction of a Lagos selected beach soccer side. Also, variety of celebrity matches between ex- internationals and popular Nigerian celebrities.
Anthony Nlebem
