Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday welcomed the decision of Barcelona Football Club (FC) of Spain to establish its first Football Academy in Africa in Lagos, just as he pledged the maximum support of the government in ensuring the successful take off of the project.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja while receiving senior management staff of the football club, said he was delighted with the development, as it was in sync with his administration’s philosophy for sports development. The Governor, who described the development as an historic moment for the state, said it was indeed a thing of joy coming at a time when the state was still basking in the euphoria of the successful hosting of the International Marathon.
He said the Lagos Marathon was a major pointer to how Lagos could actualize its dream of improving the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state using sports as a major instrument. The Governor, who reiterated the importance of sports to integration and development, said that sport was the future of service to create a platform for youth employment and youth engagement in Lagos.
Earlier, Pau Vilanova i Vila-Abadal, Director of Business and Member of FC Barcelona Management Board, who led the team to the State House, thanked Governor Ambode for the support given to them so far in actualizing the project.
He said FC Barcelona decided to establish its Academy in Lagos due to the impressive population of the state, and the opportunity to share the philosophy of the team with the state.
On his part, Oscar Grau, Worldwide Director of Barcelona Academy, said it was indeed a big honour for the club to establish its Academy in Lagos, as many of the big names in the team started from such Academy.
