GTI announce plans to take Federation Cup to next level

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

Strategic partners of NFF, GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited has announced plans to repackage the most glamorous and oldest football competition in the country.

With the plan, the competition formerly known as Federation Cup will now be known as President Federation Cup while all the teams that qualifies for the quarter- finals through the finals will have all their expenses taken over by GTI

This was made known Friday, April 19, 2024 by the Group Managing Director of the company, Abubakar Lawal during the official unveiling of the company as strategic partners of NFF on Federation Cup as well as signing partnership agreement with the Sports Ministry.

The well attended ceremony attracted the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Tinuke Watti and all the top Directors of the Ministry.

Also in attendance were all the top management team of GTI and the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.

Speaking at the ceremony, GMD of GTI explained that as strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier League ( NPFL) they’ve taken another bold step to support the FA Cup noting that his company is strategically involved in ensuring that the most glamorous and oldest domestic competition football event in the country becomes one of the best organised event in the world in no distant future.

” 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.

“The positive feedback from the on- going Nigerian Football League 2023/ 2024 season is a testament to the immediate impact in Nigeria Football development.

According to him, GTI is strategically involved in ensuring that the President Federation Cup is given the necessary support to thrive, using the Nigeria Football Trust Fund as vehicle to drive the dream.

” The principle of 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.

He further explained that the benefits that will accrue from GTI/ TNFF initiative on the Federation Cup will be super attractive and unique because it will help free up government revenue and reduce their involvement in sports funding which has been the bane of sports development in the country since independence.

In his remarks, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan- Enoh commended GTI for being partners in progress expressing hope that the transformation the company has brought to the NPFL would be replicated in the Federation Cup with an appeal to GTI to consider extending their goodwill to other sports

” 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.
” 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.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Tinuke Watti noted that there will be no meaningful development without partnership and that the agreement will enable the Ministry focus on it’s primary duty of developing sports just as she stated that they look forward for more partnership with other well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies.

President of Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau expressed happiness with GTI for changing the face of Nigerian Premier League even as he expressed hope that the involvement of the company in the Federation Cup will bring back the lost glory of the competition.