Over the years, the Shitta area was known and accepted as the unofficial breeding ground for football talents that eventually grow to represent Nigeria at various international competitions.
The Likes of Waidi Akanni, Fatai Atere, Henry Nwosu, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, Taribo West, Peter Ogaba, Kayode Keshinro, Teslim Fatusi and Olumide Harris graduated from being nurtured in Shitta to becoming National footballing icons. There is hardly ever a Nigerian football team that does not have one or more “shitta bred”.
In recent times however, the zone has become perceived as an area where drugs, crime and hooliganism thrive. This perception though not entirely correct may not be unconnected to dearth of recreational facilities/ opportunities that will keep the youths engaged while also nurturing their skills.
Enter, Shitta Progressives Football Association…
The association was founded to create and maintain bonding and engagement platforms (via football) to draw the youths away from vices while also helping to nurture these talents. Our objective is to once again, begin to see these “street level” talents in Nigeria’s Colors in the not too distant future.
To achieve this, we established the Shitta Progressives Football Competition. This competition has been held bi-annually over the past 3 years.
8 teams participated in the inaugural edition of the completion. It has since grown into a 24 team competition with one team each from Mushin and Ilupeju also participating in the on-going edition.
The tournament is tagged “D SPECIAL 1 CUP”
The primary objective of the sponsor (SIMPLY KNOWN AS “D SPECIAL 1”), apart from being his own way of giving back to the society, (that has insisted on remaining anonymous from the inception) is to use to platform to reignite the passion for sports (especially football) in youths in Surulere. It is also a platform to bring youths together to bond in a fun environment and move away from social vices.
The round of 16 commences today at the ALAPAFUJA PLAYING GROUND IN SHITTA.
Segun LUMEKO
(07084365068)
Coordinator
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