Dosu Calls for Private Sponsorship of Federation Cup

 

Dosu made the plea during an interview in Lagos, in the wake of the financial rewards presented to the top three teams in the tournament.

As you will recall, Heartland FC of Owerri, after the final match on Sunday retained the championship title after beating Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Prime FC of Osogbo won the third-place trophy after defeating Kano Pillars FC through penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.

Heartland FC was presented with a cash award of N2 million, Lobi FC, the runner-up, got N1 million, while Prime FC who finished in the third position, received N500, 000 on the sponsorship of the Lagos State Government.

Dosu said that the private organisations should support the tournament financially, in order to make it more prestigious.

``The Federation Cup is a big tournament and I am calling on private organisations to fully take part in its sponsorship and not to leave it to the government alone.

``The tournament can only thrive better with the active participation of the private sector and they will also help to restore its glamour,'' he said.

Dosu, however, commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government on the money presented to the three top finishers in the 2012 tournament, saying that no money was presented in the 2011 edition.

``I think the Lagos state government has done well by contributing to the success of the 2012 tournament. And I think that the money presented was okay, when you consider that no money was given last year.

``So, the state government’s effort deserves some commendation because it is not easy to manage a tournament that will last several months without sponsorship,” he said.

Dosu expressed excitement on the teams’ quality of play in the final and third place matches, saying that such display could only improve with good sponsorship deals to motivate the players.

``The teams were at their best both in the final and in the third place matches and it will only get better with good sponsorship deals to motivate the players.

``There is no doubt that it was an exciting final and I hope to see a better tournament in 2013,” he added.

Heartland FC, with the victory would represent the country in the Confederation Cup next season.