It was thrills and excitements all through on the second day of the Heineken Unmissable Champions League Trophy Tour in Lagos.
The tour started on Tuesday with Barcelona legend Carles Puyol leading the Chairman Team alongside ex-Nigerian internationals, current NPFL wavemakers, Akwa United United players and select consumers against a Shine Shine Bobo Team by Nigerian legend, Austin Jay Jay in the unmissable match at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
The day two event on Wednesday started with a visit to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja where he received the UEFA Champions Leaghe trophy alongside its ambassador Puyol.
Puyol, a three-time Champions League winner is in Nigeria on a three-day visit to lead the Unmissable UEFA Champions League Tour connecting with consumers and football lovers.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh, also received Okocha, who was part of the delegation.
Ambode expressed excitement with the fact that the organisers of the tour considered Lagos as one of the states to visit, adding that the development was particularly gratifying more so that the synergy between sports and entertainment as well as tourism had been massively played up in the last four years.
The Governor also lauded the contribution of Puyol and Okocha to the development of the round leather game in Nigeria and worldwide, saying they deserved to be appreciated and celebrated.
“I must say I am very pleased with the organisers of this Trophy Tour for deeming it fit to take the UEFA Champions League Cup to Lagos. We are particularly excited because our administration has focused on the synergy between sports, tourism, entertainment and the arts, among others and the people can see the positive effects of our efforts in that regard,”Ambode said.
“We are pleased to also welcome Barcelona FC and Champions League legend, Carles Puyol to Lagos, as well as our legend, JayJay Okocha to Lagos House. Many of us underrate this legend that we have and just yesterday, I understand Puyol had a very difficult time on the field of play in Uyo when JayJay had to give him a few tricks.
“Unfortunately, JayJay did not get to play for Barcelona; he would have lifted the Champions League but I must say we appreciate what Okocha has done for Nigerian football. If you have a player that is sometimes compared to Messi, Maradona and spoken about in the same breath, then we know we have a star in our midst and so I like to thank JayJay for his contribution to football.
Speaking earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, organisers of the Trophy Tour, Mr Jordi Borrut Bel thanked Governor Ambode for warmly receiving the team, saying the Trophy Tour was specifically organised to bring the tournament closer to fans.
He said as part of the tour, there would be a road show from Maryland Bus Stop to Ikeja City Mall, among other activities.
Besides, he commended Governor Ambode for his well-though out policies and projects in all sectors and sections of the State, saying the Governor deserved to be appreciated for also creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State.
“I will like to say that this visit is a great opportunity for the management team of Nigerian Breweries to appreciate Governor Ambode on the success that he has recorded in the last four years of administering the State which is a testament to the fact that well-thought policies have been implemented as has been witnessed in security, in transportation, in health, in welfare sectors in the State, and particularly in the continuous construction of impactful infrastructure as well as the Governor’s focused and dynamic leadership in the State,”he said.
“We also want to thank the Governor for sustaining a supportive business environment in the State.
The train then moved to the corporate head office of the Nigeria Breweries in Iganmu, Lagos for the Brewery tour and employee encounter event where staff of the company had the opportunity of interacting with Puyol and Okocha as well as have a closer glimpse of the UEFA Champions League Trophy.
Puyol at the event expressed his delight to be in Nigeria which he described as a big footballing nation.
“It’s great to be in Nigeria for the #Unmissable Champions League Trophy Tour. Nigeria is a great footballing nation with a lot of quality players. I’m proud to be in a big country like Nigeria.”
Soccer fans were also given the opportunity to have a feel of the trophy and take pictures at the Star Bar.
The day’s event was rounded up with the live telecast of the Champions League, second leg tie between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Eko Hotel and Suites.
