By Esther Egbe
Dr Osondu Martins Ibegbu Chairman Badagry Divisional Football Association (BDFA) revealed that recently they held a meeting at the Lagos State Government Secretariat building Alausa Ikeja between the BDFA board and the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Social development Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende CEO of RAK FOUNDATION Salient Times Newspaper learnt.
Ibegbu explained that proposal presentation and positive deliberation for the betterment of Football in Lagos State .
He added that the Badagry Divisional Football Association (BDFA) is an affiliate of the Lagos State Football Association that is saddled with the administration/ organisation of Football in the Old Badagry Kingdom.
The Commissioner met with the Executive Members of the Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA) in my office to discuss preparations for the 5th Edition of the Badagry Division – RAK League competition.
He noted that the BDFA-RAK League has a rich history, having been held for four consecutive years with his sponsorship, and he is excited to see it continue to grow and thrive. During our meeting, we talked about plans for the upcoming edition of the competition, including the introduction of a Female team to promote gender equality and increase participation in Sports among young persons in Badagry Division.
The Commissioner said that the introduction of a Female team is an important step forward for the League in line with Mr. Governor’s Themes+ agenda (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) and ensuring no one is left behind. I am looking forward to seeing the 5th Edition of the BDFA-RAK League competition come to life and continuing my support for this initiative.
Osondu further explained that RAK Foundations is an organisation with a concept for Youth development/ empowerment and gender equality in different works of life such as Sports, Music, Entertainment, Education, Arts and Cultural etc.In Sports (Football) to be precise, RAK Foundations collaborated with the BDFA to sponsor the Divisional Football League competition now known as BDFA-RAK LEAGUE since 2020 and still running.
Registration for the League is on the criteria of the first 40 Football Clubs that completes the registration modalities before the close of registration.The BDFA-RAK League is structured into 2 phases, (i) a Regular League series and (ii) the Super 8 Tournament.
The League is planned to have a total of 194 matches broken down to 180 matches for the Regular League Series and 14 matches for the Super 8 Tournament.
The League is projected for 40 football clubs.
These 40 football clubs shall be drawn into 4 groups of 10 Teams each for the Regular League series and will be zoned.
The area under the jurisdiction of the BDFA is divided into 4 Zones.
They are
(i) BADAGRY ZONE
(ii) OJO ZONE
(iii) AMUWO ODOFIN ZONE
(iv) AJEROMI IFELODUN ZONE.
Reasons for creating the Zones:-
** No distant travels.
** Reduce cost.
** Easy accessibility.
** To reach out to all the communities under our jurisdiction.
** Good management and coordination.
These reasons shall be used to draw up the 4 groups for the good running and coordination of the League by the LOC.
The Zonal League series shall be contested by 10 Teams each group that is to produce 45 matches per group with 2 Teams each (1st and 2nd) for the Super 8 Tournament.
For officiating, The Badagry Referees Society (BRS) is contracted with the task and 4 Referees are used per match.
TROPHIES, AWARDS AND PRIZES.
There are prizes for these:
** 1st and Trophy
** 2nd and Trophy
** 3rd and Trophy
** 4th
AWARDS:-
** MVP
** Highest Goal Scorer
** Best GK
** Best Coach
** Best Behaved Team
** Best Referee
So far, the BDFA-RAK LEAGUE have discovered some exciting young talented footballers plying their trade within and outside the Country such as Durosinmi Rafiu, Michael Uzih(Czech Republic); Isa Musa, Joseph Okuaghare (Denmark); Solomon Agbalaka (Russia), Ibrahim olawoyin (Turkey) Babatunde Ogungbe (Israel); etc.
Joseph Abah (Remo Stars FC); ……… etc
The League have also produced Teams such as RORO HOUSE FC (NLO 1), and YOUNG STARS FC (NLO 2) to the NFF Nationwide Leagues.
It also produced these Teams to the LSFA State League:
(1) SC Heritage
(2) Chekas United FC
(3) Badagry United FC
(4) Joint FC
(5) New Era FC
(6) Power of De Cross SA
Badagry Chairman concluded that this year 2025, we are looking forward to another exciting Football season with lots of innovations, funfair , and rewards.
