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Lagos LG Boss Lauds Airtel On Youth Development Initiative

By Uche Peter
Nigeria Lagos LG Boss Lauds Airtel On Youth Development Initiative
JUL 25, 2014 LISTEN

Lagos, Nigeria; 22nd July, 2014:Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State, Honourable Tajudeen Ajide, has commended leading telecoms service provider for its pivotal role in the development of grassroots youth football through Airtel Rising Stars (ARS), a unique U-17 soccer initiative designed to provide support for the development of football talent across Nigeria.

Honourable Ajide, who spoke at the just concluded ARS 4 Zonal Finals, held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, described ARS as an effective tool which is capable of preventing youths from taking to crime and other vices.

According to him, ARS has engaged millions of youths across the country, directing their energy and skills to football activities thereby keeping them engaged and far away from idleness, restiveness and crime.

In his words: "ARS is a beautiful initiative. Apart from the fact that it serves as a platform for our youth to enjoy themselves, it is alsohelps us keep them off the street, inadvertently making the larger society crime-free.

'As you can observe, the children are here enjoying themselves, so there is no time to for them to engage in questionable activities. Like they say, an idle mind is the devil's workshop but because they are engaged they have little or no time to consider anything evil,' he said.

The Local Government chairman commended Airtel Nigeria for the quality organisation and standard of the games, saying the involvement of ex-internationals like Peter Rufai, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, Ann Chiejine, Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju with experienced coaches in this year's tournament has raised the bar.

In his welcome address, Airtel's Regional Operations Director, Femi Oshinlaja, noted that the 'ARS Football Championship is a robust and unparalleled football talent-hunt platform conceived by the Airtel Group with an overriding objective of identifying and nurturing budding soccer talent from the grassroots onto a national stage. It is noteworthy that the past three editions of ARS programme have produced exceptionally talented young Nigerians.'

Thousands of youths as well as spectators turned out for the Lagos Zone final, which was held over the weekend. Among those present at the event wereAirtel's Zonal Business Manager, Olawale Alao; Oba Onibeju of Ibeju Land, Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami among others.

The Lagos Zone champions now head into the National finals to compete with winners from Kwara, Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt zones. Kwara Zone will be represented by the boys and girls of Team Kwara, while Enugu Zone champions, the White Chiefs FC (male category) and White Princesses FC (female category) also picked the tickets to the National Finals.

Abuja Zone will be represented by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) male team and Plateau State female team, while male and female Team Port Harcourt conquered the Port Harcourt Zone to clinch tickets to the national finals scheduled to come up at Yaba College of Technology between July 28 and August 2, 2014.

Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament, a unique pan African initiative of Airtel Africa, is designed to provide support for the development of football talent across Nigeria. It is aimed at discovering talented students (male and female) of secondary school age and providing them the opportunity to gain football skills and develop into renowned stars.

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