By Tayo Ogunseye
Activities around the maiden Lagos MiniFootball League picked up during the week after the National President Umar Yusuf Datti held a meeting with the Chairman of Agege Local Government Area Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa who also doubles as Lagos State MiniFootball Association chairman.
The strategic meeting which also had Sheriff Tajudeen the CEO of Cloud Sports and Tayo Ogunseye Assistant Media Director in attendance, focused on actualising the critical aspects of the league which is expected to kickoff in the first weekend of August ahead of the 2026 Africa MiniFootball Confederation (AMC) Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon.
The league will feature a 20-team format for men while there will also be a separate league for the women’s category.
Hon. Obasa described MiniFootball as a common sports which many are already familiar with as it’s similar to the 5 a-side competition usually played at street corners but with unique rules and regulations.
“What we play more in our communities is actually MiniFootball. I think we can popularize the game a bit better. For the players from the 11-aside football, there’s a whole lot they can learn from MiniFootball because of it’s smaller playing surface, the techniques.”
He emphasised on the importance of involving the media as strategic key stakeholders which remains a vital way of exposing the sports to a wider audience and followers.
He acknowledged and commended Mr. Tajudeen’s impact on the Lagos FA Cup publicity while urging him to help project the league with his production outfit.
“Why I wanted your organisation to get involved is because you did the broadcast and publicity for the last Lagos FA Cup and people could view it all over the world. It gave a different feel to what the Lagos FA used to be and I think we can put the same feel on what the Lagos MiniFootball League can be. We want to attract all the football academies in Lagos. We want the players to learn a lot from MiniFootball technical-wise even in terms of energy because, when you are running within a smaller space, you exert more energy and your technique is more refined. There’s a whole lot of advantage for them.”
“How do we build this league to make it a sustainable league? This is where President Datti plans to pick some of the players for the national team which will be very beneficial because in July 25, we shall be going for the Africa draw and I’m sure the female national team will be selected for AMC women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon. I believe we can build a team from Lagos and also have players from other states involved.”
He added that his Local Government Area has already started the process of delivering a befitting league with two facilities; one with a 6-aside capacity field while the other is much bigger.
He believed that these investments would aid and accelerate the development of the sports.
I’m his remarks, the NMA President Datti appreciated the genuine interest and efforts displayed by the chairman at developing the game especially with the provision of the two facilities. He emphasised on the significance of the league as it would provide the core of players for the national team ahead of the Africa MiniFootball Confederation Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon.
“We want the Lagos MiniFootball League to stand, functional and remain sustainable just like the Nigeria Premier Football League and the Nigeria National League. Chairman Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa is doing a lot and he has already constructed two playing facilities which are very critical to the league’s development especially with the impact they will have on the grassroots. MiniFootball is fast-paced, it’s non-contact and it’s an exciting sports that will interest many.”
In his response, Mr Tajudeen said his organisation is quite ready to showcase the competition as he was excited with the prospect of making it visible to a wider audience.
“We are here for it. We are advocate of African sports and to also ensure the world respect for our African talents. We know the talents are there and thank God for the chairman for what he has done at providing the infrastructure and that’s really the bedrock. The talent is there, infrastructure is there, the rest is just the organisation and management. So we are here for it and we are all for it. Wherever we can add value, bring it to light and sustain it. We believe a lot more will come from this league” he said.
