NPA takes on shippers’ council as 2023 Maritime Cup kicks off

The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) football team, will trade tackles with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) at the 13th edition of the Ships & Ports Annual Maritime Cup Football Competition in Lagos.

This is contained in statement by the Coordinator of the Maritime Cup, Mrs Oluwatosin Rotimi, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement said the 2023 Maritime Cup would hold from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3.

The Maritime Cup, which has recorded huge success since inception in 2009, was created by leading maritime firm Ships & Ports to foster unity and encourage competitive sporting activities among industry stakeholders.

The draws for the competition were held on Tuesday in Lagos and the 15 participating teams were placed in four Groups.

“Group A is made up of defending champions NPA, port economic regulator Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Comet Shipping Agencies and COSCO Shipping Nigeria.

“In Group B, 2019 runner-up Josepdam Port Services will trade tackles with 2014 champions National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and first-timers National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

“Group C has 2019 champions ENL Consortium, 2018 runner-up Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dynesty Shipping and leading terminal operator APM Terminals Apapa.

“Group D parades 2009 champions Nigerian Navy, five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service and two new entrants – Blueche Lomado and Truck Transit Park (TTP),” it said.

Speaking during the draws held in Surulere, Lagos, the Head, Technical Committee of the Maritime Cup, Adesegun Kosoko, commended Ships & Ports Communications Company for sustaining the competition for the past 14 years.

Kosoko, who is former Chairman, Lagos State Referees Council, enjoined the participating teams to familiarise themselves with the rules of the game.

He assured participants of effective officiating and transparency in all the matches in line FIFA rules.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the Maritime Cup, Rotimi, assured the participating teams of an exciting competition.

She said as had been done over the years, the 2023 Maritime Cup, the 13th in the edition of the competition, would be officiated by approved FIFA-badge referees.

“Matches of the competition this year will be played at The Stable and NPA Sports Ground, both in Surulere, Lagos,” she said.

Past winners of the Maritime Cup since inception are the Nigerian Navy (2009), Micura Stevedoring Services (2010), Nigeria Customs Service (2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (2014).

Others are Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (2015), Nigerian Ports Authority (2018, 2022) and ENL Consortium Nigeria Limited (2019).

The competition was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.