Nigeria’s oldest football club competition has been renamed again.
The tournament which began as Governor’s Cup was later changed to Challenge Cup, Coca-Cola FA Cup, Federation Cup, Aiteo Cup and Tingo Cup.
At a well-attended official event in Lagos on Friday, the Ministry of Sports Development, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and strategic partners GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited announced that the competition will now be known as the President Federation Cup.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau and GTI Group Managing Director, Abubakar Lawal attended the event along with other dignitaries.
It was revealed that the change of name is part of the strategic plans put in place to restore the glory of the Cup as GTI Assets Management, the NFF and Sports Ministry unveil a new vision for the Competition.
The Group Managing Director of GTI, Lawal said 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 they will restore the glory of the renamed President Federation Cup soon.
He further explained that GTI will 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.
In his remarks, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator Enoh said he is pleased with the proposal and how GTI has transformed the local football landscape hence the ministry is willing to do everything in support of the project.
He expressed delight with the success GTI has achieved with NPFL and said their proposal and impressive track record as leading investment banking firm in Nigeria with expertise in sports management and development convinced the ministry of their suitability for the partnership.
On his part, NFF President Gusau said the future of the competition is bright with the new partnership between the Sports Ministry and GTI.
Gusau further explained that the competition was to be renamed President Cup but it was decided to include ‘Federation’ so that the public would not think that the NFF was not involved.
The event came to a close with the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Sports Ministry, GTI and the NFF.
The 2024 edition of the competition is in the Round of 64 stage.
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