Lagos Sports Commissioner Commends Airtel over ARS

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has applauded Airtel for its contribution to the development of grassroots soccer through the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 football championship, which enters its fourth season this year.Speaking while receiving a delegation of Nigerian youngsters, who participated at the just-concluded Airtel/Arsenal  Soccer Clinic in Kigali, Rwanda, the commissioner, who was represented by the Lagos Director of Sports, Dr Kweku Tandoh, expressed delight at the initiative and achievements recorded since the inception of ARS in 2011.

“I want to congratulate Airtel for creating this programme. In Lagos State, we encourage public-private partnership because the government cannot do everything alone. So, when we find corporate organisations like Airtel involved in these developmental initiatives, it makes us proud. I want to thank the management for this,” he said.

Speaking further, Oshodi further called on key players in the private sector to emulate the telecommunications operator in bringing development to their communities just as he noted that the State Government has embarked on some sports development initiatives which requires partnership with the private sector.

The team which visited the commissioner include; Internal Communications Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Felix Ofulue; Media Manager, Blueflower Ltd, Akabude Uche Peter; Client Executive, Integrals Ltd, Lilian Ukara, and the six ARS players namely; Ridwan Adeleke (Best Goal Keeper), Olu Gabriel (Highest Goal Scorer) and Wisdom Uforo (MVP).
Others are; Augustina Boniface (Best Goal Keeper) Falegan Joy (Highest Goal Scorer) and Kafayat Shittu (MVP) in the female category.