- Copa Lagos 2017 will see Nigeria, Netherland, and Lebanon battle for the trophy
- A Beach Soccer Kids Clinic will also be held to discover talents
- For the first time also, there will be female celebrity match, alongside the regular male celebrity match
The Nigerian Beach Soccer team otherwise known as the Super Sand Eagles, will battle the National Beach Soccer Teams of Lebanon and the Netherlands in the 2017 edition of the annual global beach soccer tournament, COPA Lagos.
COPA Lagos, organized by Kinetic Sports, is set to hold from December, 8 2017, at Eko Atlantic City. Like in previous editions, this year’s edition will feature a combination of sport, music, fashion and celebrity entertainment that will draw into to the Night, a scheme that has become part and parcel of the Event Calendar for 2017 edition.
This year’s event will feature the Club Challenge that will consist of Pepsi Football Academy with the introduction of a Lagos selected beach soccer side, a variety of Celebrity Matches between Ex- Internationals and popular Nigerian celebrities.
PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on NAIJ.com News App
Since its inception in 2011, COPA Lagos has grown from being the first ever international beach soccer event in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to being a prominent sporting and entertainment event in the World.
L-R: Angelo Schirinzi, head coach of Switzerland beach soccer team, Samson Adamu, Ceo Kinetic Sports, Diran Olojo,Group Head - Corporate Affairs FCMB, Segun Ogunleye -Brand Manager Pepsi, Kunle Ogidi
READ ALSO: 5 Nigerians who have won UEFA Champions League/Europa League trophy
Speaking to newsmen, Samson Adamu, Managing Director of Kinetic Sports said: “This year's edition of COPA Lagos is back to its normal three days of Soccer, Fashion, Music, business and networking opportunities and fun. Furthermore the plan is to make Copa Lagos more than just a beach soccer event but to be a major spectacle that will put Nigeria on the global tourism space and promote a beach culture and lifestyle in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
"As organisers we have diversified the scope beyond beach soccer games to include the complete fan experience, where all participants and attendees amidst the multi-faceted activities enjoy an event with a multi-dimensional focus is a result of Kinetic Sports management’s desire to showcase and support the ever-increasing Fashion Culture, Nigerian music and entertainment Industry.
"We would like to thank our sponsors; FCMB, Pepsi, Hero and Wakanow for their continued support over the years in making Copa Lagos, the premier Beach Soccer Event in Africa and one of the best in the World."
He added: "As a prelude to COPA Lagos, Kinetic Sports has also lined up several interesting activities including its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event, tagged “Clean the Beach”, which is aimed at conserving the beach, encouraging cleanliness in the environment and preserving marine life. The exercise will involve over 200 people that will include beach football players, staff, sponsors, celebrities, influencers and other volunteers.
"A Beach Soccer Kids Clinic – a training and mentorship programme for kids in Lagos state aimed at promoting and showcasing Beach Soccer to the younger generation. The initiative will bring together over 100 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 years to the beach to play the Sport with Beach Soccer Stars and Celebrity Players acting as coaches and will teach them the importance of sports for mental development and education. The exercise is in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission; who will bring the kids from various schools from the coastal areas of Lagos state. Other activities include a Media Tour, After Party and a Fashion Show."
Switzerland emerged champions of the 2016 Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament after beating Nigeria 8-3 at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.
On the other hand, NAIJ.com asked Nigerians to name the club they think would win the UEFA Champions League and we got some pretty interesting options.
Source: Sports.naij.com
ROSY CREST
Friday, 29 September 2017