Coca-Cola Elevates Grassroots Football in Four Lagos Communities

L-R: Regional Commercial Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Dan Fratila; Director, Lagos State Sports Commission, Nunayon Travih; Isolo Community Representative, Seun Dejo, and Franchise Manager, Lagos and West, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nigeria, Satyajit Ram, during a handover ceremony of COPA Coca-Cola 2015 materials to various communities, on Friday, 30th October, 2015 at Jakande Housing Estate in Isolo, Lagos.

Lagos, Nigeria - As part of its contribution to the growth of grassroots sport, Coca-Cola Nigeria through COPA Coca-Cola initiative has presented football training kits to four communities within Lagos State. They are Agege, Jakande Estate, Oworonsoki and Elegbata communities.

L-R: Director, Lagos State Sports Commission, Nunayon Travih; Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Patricia Jemibewon; Oworonshoki Community Representative, Lateef Badmus; Senior Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Gbolohan Sanni, and Channel Development Manager, Key Account, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Yomi Onakoya, during a handover ceremony of COPA Coca-Cola 2015 materials to various communities, on Friday, 30th October, 2015 at Jakande Housing Estate in Isolo, Lagos.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, which held recently at the Jakande Estate Pitch, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, said, “Nigeria’s passion for football is unrivalled anywhere else on the continent. Coca-Cola’s involvement in Nigerian football through COPA signifies a perfect harmony between platform and potentials. Through COPA Coca-Cola, young lovers of the game are inspired to live their dreams, while we at Coca-Cola help to create a new face for the sport in different communities.”

She noted that COPA this year is divided into two phases namely; Everyday Football and the Tournament itself. “Through Everyday Football, Coca-Cola will elevate the everyday football experience of young Nigerians by providing 10 selected playing fields in major cities across the country with basic equipment and kits including Goal nets, Training bibs, Cones and Footballs. Community women in each of the communities will also be empowered with a kiosk and drinks to start their own retail business in the playing field.

L-R: Director, Lagos State Sports Commission, Nunayon Travih; Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Patricia Jemibewon; Orile Coker Community Representative, Olajide Oloyede; Senior Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Gbolohan Sanni, and Channel Development Manager, Key Account, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Yomi Onakoya, during a handover ceremony of COPA Coca-Cola 2015 materials to various communities, on Friday, 30th October, 2015 at Jakande Housing Estate in Isolo, Lagos.

Today we are donating to Amoo Training Pitch in Agege, Jakande Estate Pitch in Isolo, Owonroshoki Playing Field and Orile/Sari Iganmu Sports Centre, Elegbata Playground. COPA Coca-Cola will also deliver what we have tagged a ‘Legacy Pitch’ to a community that will be transparently picked from a selection pool. What this means is that we will upgrade the key Football arena in the selected community into a mini- stadium,” she stated.

While appreciating Coca-Cola’s donations, the Zonal Chairman of Jakande Estate, Elder Joseph Olaiya remarked that the items would go a long way in boosting football talents in the community.  In his words, “Coca-Cola is an exemplary corporate citizen that gives back to the communities where it operates. We will ensure that the materials are deployed to serve the purpose for which they have been provided.”

Also speaking at the event, Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba, re-emphasized that Coca-Cola is committed to building partnerships that promote growth and development. “Beyond the funds we provide for initiatives such as this, there is the social equity which we bring to the table. Our employees are always ready to volunteer and serve in our communities,” he said.