Ten Lagos communities are set to compete for honours in the first edition of a mini sports fiesta modelled after the original Olympic Games concept.

Three games are to feature in the tournament known as Community Games and kicking off from September 10.

He competing communities are Oshodi, Agege, Ajegunle, Ketu, Obalende, Bariga, Surulere, Ikorodu, Mushin, Orile-Iganmu. They will compete in football, draughts and table tennis, the first three games of the maiden tournament.

Lagos Football Association Chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, flagged off the games on Monday at 500 Citi Events Centre, Ilupeju, Lagos, a few blocks away from the headquarters of sponsors, Nutricima Limited. Olympic Milk from Nutricima is powering the games.

Akinwunmi announced the support and endorsement of The Community Games by the Lagos State FA. Former Eagles midfielder and current Manager of Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan Mutiu Adepoju, a.k.a Headmaster, also endorsed the games, asking the organisers to quickly extend the fiesta to other towns starting with Ibadan.

A statement issued this morning on behalf of the sponsors described the games as “a multi-sport recreational activity aimed at fostering sportsmanship and healthy living and enthroning the spirit of community among citizens in the country.”

In the words of Head Marketing, Nutricima Limited, Mrs. Wande Oluwasegunfunmi: “People in communities naturally engage in these games while relaxing with friends and family. Olympic Milk is giving people at the grassroots the opportunity to showcase their talent by representing their communities in this one-of-a-kind sporting competition.”

Senior Brand Manager, Olympic Milk, Chiaka Eluchie, while calling for mass participation in the games, revealed that participants and spectators would win many prizes.

“If you know you have the talent and the skill, now is the time to come and showcase yourself in Lagos. Spectators and fans also have the opportunity of winning exciting prizes ranging from generators, phones, bags, to water bottles at the venue of the events,” Mrs. Eluchie stated.

The organisers say that this year’s event is a pilot scheme because other parts of Nigeria will stand a chance of tasting of Olympic Milk’s goodness via the Community Games sponsorship from next year. There are also chances that the scope of sporting activities featured might be expanded based on this year’s performance.

*Photo: Super Eagles former midfielder Mutiu Adepoju and Lagos FA chairman Seyi Akinwunmi flanked by Nutricima and PZ officials at the launch of Community Games.

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