LSSC, UK club sign football development partnership

The Lagos State Sports Commission and UK-based community football club Abbey Rangers FC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening grassroots football development in Lagos State.

Under the agreement signed on Tuesday, both parties will collaborate across seven key pillars, including talent identification, coaching development, sports science integration, community engagement, policy advisory support, resource mobilisation and infrastructure optimisation.

The partnership will also feature a statewide scouting programme across schools and communities, alongside technical training, scholarships and holistic athlete development support.

Director General of the LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, said the initiative places strong emphasis on education as a foundation for sports development.

“Education is the bedrock of development, and what we are consciously doing is placing education at the forefront of our sports development agenda,” he said.

“This will help young athletes make informed choices and provide them the opportunity to leverage sports to build other career pathways.”

Chairman of Abbey Rangers FC, Nick Riley, expressed optimism about the long-term impact of the partnership.

“Player development, coaching and infrastructure are central to what we do, and there is a lot we can contribute on this journey with the Lagos State Sports Commission and Nigeria.

“We are not looking to build something that lasts two or five years, but a legacy that will last generations. We are up for the challenge.”

Founded in 1976, Abbey Rangers FC currently runs 50 teams for boys and girls aged between 3 and 18, while their first team competes in the ninth tier of English football.