LOC Inspects Mobolaji Johnson Arena Ahead of Aisha Buhari Cup

Members of the Local Organising Committee for the Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament (Aisha Buhari Cup) were at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena yesterday morning on check out the facility and ascertain the pace of work at the venue.

During a courtesy call to his office a fortnight ago, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State assured the LOC members that work would proceed apace at the facility to ensure its readiness to host matches of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup. He also assured that renovation work at the Agege Stadium would be done expeditiously.

At the Draw Ceremony on Wednesday, the organisers announced that the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which is the site of the old Onikan Stadium, would serve as Venue A of the tournament, while Agege Stadium would be Venue B.

Yesterday, the LOC members, including Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Ms Aisha Falode (Director of Organisation) and; Ayo Omidiran (Member) as well as Technical Committee members, Bola Oyeyode and Dotun Coker, were at the Arena to see for themselves the state of things.

“We thank Governor Sanwo-Olu and the entire Lagos State Government for the accelerated pace of work here, and at the Agege Stadium. We believe that both venues will be ready and all-good-to-go for the tournament,” Akinwunmi said at the end of the visit.

Nigeria, Cameroon, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa and Mali will battle for honours at the 9-day tournament that will see 10 matches in all played across Mobolaji Johnson Arena and Agege Stadium, with the opening match between Nigeria and Morocco on September 13 and the final on September 21,– both at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Meanwhile, Super Falcons Assistant Coach and Head Coach of Edo Queens FC, Wemimo Matthew has stated that the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament will completely change the mindset of parents over girl-child participation in sporting activities.

Wemimo said the football showpiece will go a long way to fast-track the growth and improvement of the game in the continent. “It’s a very good idea and I give kudos to the initiators of the competition. I believe the tournament is going to add to the development of women football in Nigeria and Africa in general.”