Rejuvenate Lagos Grassroots Sporting Activity, Bode George Tells Sanwo-Olu ….Says I Played Football With Gen Olanrewaju, Tunde Disu

Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has urged governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to rejuvenate Sporting activities to engage the youths in Lagos State.

Chief George spoke in Lagos on Thursday when the Lagos State Grassroots Socccer Association presented the first edition of Under-15 Bode George’s Kid Cup 2025 which he sponsored.

According to him, Sporting activities would engaged the pupils from nefarious tendencies that might affect them in future.

George said since Sanwo-Olu still have about a year before handing over to a successor, the onus is on him to rejuvenate the Sporting activities since he also grew up in the Island and partook in the social activities while growing up.

Going down the memory lane, Chief George said: ” Growing up on Island was fun. There was communal relationships and everyone protected everyone. At Easter and Sallah, there was no difference. It pains me when I see the deterioration nowadays.

” The elders organised us into seven a side football tourneys. I played soccer alongside with General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd, Tunde Disu and others. I was the captain of my side.

” I want to appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu who also grew up on the Island to rejuvenate the sporting activities. Let them start the social activities such as football, Table tennis, Lawn tennis , boxing and so on. At least he still has one year to go.

” All those names who became famous in boxing such as Hogan Bassey, Bash Ali , Hunter Clay started there.

” If you don’t catch them young now, it will be too late thereafter, ” he added.

The elderstatesman urged everyone in position to do something worthwhile and worthy of emulation after their exit, adding that people remembered Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnmadi Azikiwe and others today because of what they did while in position of authority.

Speaking at the occasion, Gen Olanrewaju rtd said he was elated when he received a call from him that he ( George) would like to do something for the boys because he loved football.

He commended and congratulated Chief George for starting what they did some seventy-five years ago.

” I grew up to play football in Nigeria. When we played against Ghana , I was in the right wing (nos 2) while Tony Igwe was in the midfield ( nos 4) I later moved to nos 4 and Igwe reverted to no 2 when I sustained an injury.

” Till today, I still have the list of players in the match against Ghana national team in January 1976. It was when we returned that their President, Kwame Nkrumah was ousted,” he added.

Speaking earlier the Lagos Grassroots Socccer Association who spoke through its secretary, Mr Afuka Abu, said the soccer competition was part of the activities welcoming Chief George into the Octogenarian club.

According to him the under-15 soccer competition which would commence on Monday 15th December 2025 would feature 24 teams at two centres on knock out basis.

The two centres are Ojo Oniyun playing Centre in Ebute Meta and Concord Playing Ground in Oshodi while the final match would be played at Union Bank Playing Centre, Surulere on Friday 26th December 2025.

The winning team would go home with two hundred and fifty thousand cash prize with the trophy while the runners up would get one hundred and fifty thousand naira only and the third place team would go home with one hundred thousand naira only .