The first Lagos based team, selected by Schirinzi and Adamu after a thorough camp, will play Arsenal in their first ever international competition
The annual beach soccer tournament, Copa Lagos, organized by Kinetic Sports and Beach Soccer Worldwide has unveiled the first Lagos based beach soccer team – Gidi Sharks. This is the first time in the tournament that local talents will be participating in COPA Lagos 2017, which is set to hold from the 8th to the 10th of December 2017, at Eko Atlantic City.
Gidi Sharks, who will be making their debut at COPA Lagos 2017, were selected by Swiss beach soccer coach and FIFA Instructor, Angelo Schirinzi, alongside National Beach Soccer Coach, Adamu Ejo. The team comprises of beach soccer talents from the different parts of Lagos State. They were all selected during a talent scout program sponsored by FCMB, Pepsi and Hero. The selected players will get the opportunity of a lifetime to play their first match against the European Club Champions, Arsenal Beach Soccer Team.
Prior to the match, the team will spend two weeks in an intensive boot camp with Angelo Schirinzi to adequately prepare them for the international teams they will be facing at COPA Lagos 2017.
In an interview, Angelo Schirinzi said, “Nigeria has potential in football and it can be seen at every street corner. We intend to make them professional players.”
Samson Adamu, speaking to reporters recently, said, “We brought in one of the best coaches in the world to scout for players from different parts of Lagos. Beach Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and we seek to take an early entry advantage. I believe we have a good number of beach soccer talents; we are a country with a huge passion for soccer and most people have played soccer on sand from a young age. Our goal is to develop a beach soccer league and we are starting with Gidi Sharks, using them as Ambassadors who will develop beach soccer teams in their respectively communities.
Every edition of Copa Lagos brings a unique offering and this year’s edition tops the excitement, not only with the regular feature of sport, music, dance, fashion, fans’ zone and celebrity entertainment but also, the introduction of a Female Celebrity Match and the “Lagos-based” beach soccer team, Gidi Sharks, who will be playing their first match against Arsenal beach soccer team.
This year’s edition of COPA Lagos promises to be a more engaging and fun filled experience for all.
