By JACOB AJOM

It was fanfare when Season 4 of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer competition began in Lagos Sunday. The Campos Mini Stadium, where the opening ceremony took place was colourful when representatives of the 450 teams that registered for the competition took to the pitch for the ceremonial march past.

Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola told the participants to be of good behaviour because as sports men they must strive to compete for the top prize and wished them luck. “Goodluck alone is not enough, you need the very best of luck to excel,” the governor said, thanking the sponsors, MTN for partnering with the state government in its drive to empower the youth.

In his speech, Bola Akingbade ,Chief Marketing And Strategy Officer, MTN Nigeria who was represented by   Lawrence Akharume said the company saw its sponsorship of the event in the last four years as a way of helping the youths to achieve their dreams of becoming soccer stars in the nearest future.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to the development and empowerment of youths through the MTN/Lagos Street Soccer Championship.

Earlier, Lagos state commissioner for Sports Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele assured the participating teams of adequate security at all match venues and that as adequate arrangement had been put in place for a successful event.