Federation Cup gets new name as GTI, NFF and Sports Ministry move to restore it's lost glory
By Olusola Adebayo
The Federation Cup will now be known as President Federation Cup, this is part of the strategic plans put in place to restore the glory of the Cup as GTI Assets Management, Nigeria Football Federation and Sports Ministry unveil a new vision for the Competition.
In a well attended official introduction of the new name in Lagos on Friday, (19 April 2024) the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) and their strategic partners GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited partnered the Sports Ministry to bring back the oldest cup competition in the county to it's enviable glorious past.
The event have the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh and the Nigeria Football Federation President , Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau in attendance as well as the GTI Group Managing Director (GMD) Abubakar Lawal on ground among other dignitaries.
The Group Managing Director of the company, Abubakar Lawal during the new initiative of the company was inspired by the unprecedented success recorded by their ventures in the Nigeria Premier Football League as he gave assurances that the company is poise to restore the glory of the now President Federation Cup in no time.
“The positive feedback from the on- going Nigerian Football League 2023/ 2024 season is a testament to the immediate impact in Nigeria Football development" said Abubakar.
He further explained that GTI is to help promote the economics and financial value of the Cup without undermining the sporting value by attracting investors and taking expenses off the team from the quarter finals, transforming sports from just gaming to business in line with the National Sports Industry Policy of the federal government.
" The principle of The Nigeria Football Fund, TNFF aligns with the national agenda as clearly stated in the National Sports Industry Policy of turning sports into business as a financially rewarding industry that would be attractive to investors."
” I want to announce to Nigerians that we have kick- started the transformation journey of taking Nigerian Football to the next level with GTI involvement as strategic partners to the NFF on the Federation Cup" , said Abubakar
In his remarks, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan- Enoh said he is pleased with the proposal and how GTI has transformed the local football landscape and hence the ministry is willing to do everything in support of the project and ensure the potential of the President Federation Cup is fully harness in the country.
” I’m pleased with what GTI has achieved with NPFL. Their proposal and impressive track record as leading investment banking firm in Nigeria with expertise in sports management and development convinced us of their suitability for this partnership".
” I am confident that this collaboration between the NFF, GTI and the Ministry of Sports Development will restore glory, increase viewership and breathe new life into the President Federation Cup" , said the minister.
The honourable minister said speaks further : ” With the signing of this agreement with GTI, we aim to reestablish the renamed competition in the national and international football calender, involving grassroots teams, creating employment for approximately 500,000 Nigerians, engaging over 100,000,000 football enthusiasts; rejuvenating talent pipelines , fostering national pride and showcasing Nigeria’s greatness globally".
The Nigeria Football Federation said the future of the President Federation Cup is bright with the new partnership between the Sports Ministry and GTI.
The event came to a close after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry , GTI and the NFF.
The Federation Cup started the Challenge Cup in 1945, before transforming to the FA Cup and recently the Federation Cup and now the President Federation Cup.
The 2024 edition is presently in the Round of 64 stage as the State finals were concluded a couple of weeks ago.
Bendel Insurance of Edo is currently the defending champion of the competition and the team is still in the running to defend the title won last year.
