The landscape of Lagos football is set for a historic transformation as the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) scales up preparations for the highly anticipated second edition of the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup. In a move that signals a new era of corporate-sporting synergy, the LSFA leadership paid a high-profile courtesy visit to Hon. Kunle Soname, the visionary Founder of the Bet9ja Foundation, to solidify a partnership rooted in community development and the honoring of footballing legends.
On Friday, the LSFA Committee, led by the charismatic Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, visited the corporate headquarters of the Bet9ja Foundation. The highlight of the visit was the unveiling of the elegantly crafted, giant Ex-Internationals Cup Trophy. The gleaming silverware served as a symbol of the prestige the LSFA intends to bring to this year’s competition.
During the presentation, Chairman Gafar Liameed was effusive in his praise for Hon. Soname, describing him as a “titan of Nigerian football.” He emphasized that Soname’s contributions go far beyond financial investment, highlighting his role in providing structured pathways for young talents to move away from social vices and also creating a sustainable ecosystem where sports serves as a viable career for the next generation.
”This initiative is in perfect harmony with our vision to foster community development,” Soname remarked. “Supporting the welfare of our ex-internationals—those who have given their sweat and blood for this nation—is a priority we hold dear.”
In response, Hon. Kunle Soname expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and the LSFA’s proactive approach. He noted that the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup is not merely a tournament, but a project that resonates with the Bet9ja Foundation’s core mission.
In a concrete show of commitment, Hon. Soname officially accepted the partnership proposal and immediately appointed a Director from the Bet9ja Foundation to serve as a liaison with the Lagos FA. This collaboration will move swiftly into the “action phase,” beginning with a series of working visits to iron out:
Logistical Frameworks, ensuring world-class standards for venues and player transport, finalizing the schedule to ensure maximum fan engagement and media coverage.
This strategic alliance further solidifies the LSFA’s reputation for cultivating high-value corporate partnerships. Under Hajji Gafar Liameed’s stewardship, the association is proving that football development is most effective when it bridges the gap between the legends of the past and the stars of the future.
As the “Center of Excellence” prepares for the kickoff, the collaboration between the LSFA and the Bet9ja Foundation promises to make the second edition of the Ex-Internationals Cup a benchmark for domestic football tournaments in Nigeria.
