Nigeria’s oldest football competition, the Challenge Cup, which has been renamed the President Federation Cup, will soon regain its lost glamour, Managing Director of GTI Asset Management Limited, Mohammed Lawal, whose outfit has entered an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to manage the competition, has assured.
The Federal Ministry of Sports and GTI, at the weekend in Lagos, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the asset management company to oversee the President Federation Cup.’
The tournament, which began in 1945 as the Challenge Cup and was later renamed the Federation Cup, according to Lawal, is being restructured to ensure that it becomes a competition that every Nigerian football follower will want to be associated with.
“Football has gone beyond entertainment. We are driving towards the business aspect of it. This is what will make our vision result-oriented.
“We want our leagues to be better for it and the result is evident even on our rating table. It’s not business as usual,” Lawal, whose outfit also oversees the financial aspect of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), said.
Also speaking on the MoU, Sports Development Minister, John Enoh, applauded GTI for taking on the responsibility of revitalising the competition.
He also urged stakeholders to focus on restoring the glory of the tournament, saying: “Nigeria has a rich football history.
It is optimised by prestigious competitions like the Challenge Cup, which has captivated the nation since 1945. It has been renamed over the years.
“Today we gather to relaunch it as The President Federation Cup. We didn’t call it the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Cup. But we want this name to be timeless by using the highest office in the land.
“I am pleased with GTI Asset Management. By signing the agreement with GTI, we aim to re-establish the benefits of this partnership, developing the grassroots, creating employment for approximately 500,000 Nigerians engaging over 100,000,000 enthusiasts.
“Let’s use this medium to showcase Nigeria’s greatness globally. The President Federation Cup is one of President Tinubu’s legacy of championing Nigerian football,” he said.
NFF’s President, Ibrahim Gusau, also lauded the GTI group for daring to do the important with Nigeria football.
“When I heard of the GTI initiative, I had to dedicate time to be here. I was at their office for four hours and I asked all mind-boggling questions. They were able to give me answers.
“I applaud them for taking this on. And I wish them success as they take on The President Federation Cup to make it bigger and better,” he said.
