Former Flying Eagles star, Monday Kanu, has emphasized the need for the Lagos State Government to invest heavily in grassroots football infrastructure. According to Kanu, the state needs at least 20 standard football pitches to meet the growing demands of young aspiring footballers.
Kanu lamented that the current state of football infrastructure in Lagos is inadequate, with only a few standard sporting facilities available to cater to the large number of youths who see football as a viable career path. He specifically mentioned the overstretched Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan and the Legacy Pitch in Surulere as the only notable facilities.
Kanu urged the government to support private initiatives already making strides in this space. He praised grassroots football investors and stakeholders who are taking bold steps by setting up football clubs, academies, and sports arenas to engage and empower young talents.
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“We cannot afford to let our young people down due to lack of infrastructure,” he said. “The government must do more to complement what private individuals and organisations are already doing.”
Former Flying Eagles star, Monday Kanu.
Kanu also commended the organisers of the 1X Cup, a grassroots football tournament that has become a critical pathway for young players dreaming of a professional future in the game. “The 1X Cup is a fantastic initiative,” he said. “It gives hope, structure, and visibility to grassroots talents.”
The call for investment in grassroots football infrastructure is a timely one, given the growing interest in football among young people in Lagos. With the right infrastructure in place, young talents can be nurtured and developed, potentially leading to a brighter future for Nigerian football.
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The Lagos State Government would do well to heed Kanu’s call and work towards providing the necessary infrastructure to support the development of football in the state.
