The Lagos Liga example

One of the most important lessons from history is that everything begins with an idea. It is no wonder that Lagos Liga, which was only set out as a recreational football tournament, has turned out to be history made and an example for the future of sports we want to build in Nigeria.

For the first time in Nigeria’s modern football and perhaps sports history, the impact of a local football tournament transcended the shores of Lagos Island, with an enduring influence all over the country and even beyond. It created once again a sense of national pride and community, which is demonstrated by how it attracted talents and participation from all over the country.

The first season, which has recently concluded, had 16 participating teams with over 90 players. The winner, Primal Sporting of Abuja, won the N50 million reward, earning an estimated N8.33 million per game, making the competition the highest per-match prize so far recorded for any football tournament in Nigeria, even at the professional level. In addition, each player that participated in the tournament also received a registration allowance.

The tournament also provided jobs and stimulated commercial and economic activities throughout its value chain. From the players to the officials that were engaged through the competition and the people who provided support services, it was a major boost for the economy and especially Lagos Island, where the tournament was held.

Lagos Liga was our own theatre of lived dreams; the players played for something bigger than themselves; they showed passion, grit, strength, and resilience. The officials and organisers put together an unforgettable experience, a spectacle and standard that would be hard to beat even in coming years.

I was glad to see the Liga bring out pure talents like David Onuche, the player of the tournament; Ramon Ishola, Hassan Abba, Favour Anieke, Aliyu Tafida, Sunday Stephen, Hakeem Onitolo; and the rest of the players, who would go on to do great things in football and make Nigeria proud.

It is hard to recount the Lagos Liga success story, without the inexhaustible mention of the club owners, who provided the platform for the players to shine. From Mahmud Ribadu’s Primal Sporting, Seye Dele’s Super star FC, Shola Akinlade’s Sporting Lagos, Natacha Akide’s Tacha FC, Don Jazzy’s Supremos FC, D’banj’s Koko FC and Jarus FC, owned by my Kwara compatriot, Suraj Oyewale, and several others too numerous to mention.

I followed every bit of the Liga with awe, admiration, and gratitude to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone involved. It was such a proud moment, seeing the organisation and excellent delivery. We experienced an extraordinary tournament, hard to fault in any sense, and it has become the benchmark and template for aggregating sports talent and harnessing our immense football potential.

There are several aspects of the Liga that present a learning opportunity and reflection for football in Nigeria, but I would mention a few. The first is about innovation and how they enabled the tournament with technology. For the first time in Nigeria, we had the successful deployment of Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which was critical to key decisions at the Liga; it reduced referee error to a bare minimum and ensured a fair outcome. The livestreaming component also provided an opportunity for audiences in and outside Nigeria to follow the tournament without missing out on the action.

There was also a key lesson on private sector participation. I have never been in doubt that privatising local football clubs is the only way forward. Lagos Liga has come to remind us about the impact of private capital and management, which is more efficient than public ownership. Like other sectors, government must begin to gradually relax its stranglehold on our football and sports for private investors to come and run it.

There are also key lessons around administration, showing us that if the people who have a heart for sports are put in charge, it can work. This was especially demonstrated by how the reward and remuneration for the players and teams were cleared before one could even say Jack Robinson. This was a departure from what we have always seen in Nigeria.

Nigeria has not realised its full potential in football and sports as a result of existential challenges such as funding, infrastructure gaps, lack of investment, and poor remuneration. But we can start today, to begin to rewrite history; if we borrow a template from Lagos Liga, we can create a brighter future for our football and sports.

Lagos Liga is a true testament to what is possible with strong will and dedication. I congratulate my Egbon, JJ Omojuwa and the other organisers, volunteers, players, and club owners for a truly extraordinary tournament. And also, the Lagos State Sports Commission for the support they provided to ensure the success of the tournament.

Lagos Liga has provided us a timeless reminder that if we keep up this investment and sustained interest in our football and we all play our role, we can make tomorrow’s stars today!

Seun Awogbenle, a Development and Public Policy Professional, writes from United Kingdom. He can be reached via [email protected].