Monopoly game berths in Lagos

 

The berth of Monopoly in Lagos marks another milestone in sports for Lagos government.

Sports enthusiasts and stakeholders on Thursday August 4, gathered at Molade Okoya Thomas hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium to witness the launch of the maiden edition of Monopoly Game as an official sport in Lagos State.

 

The Monopoly game is in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission and Bestman Games to improve learning through sport.

 

Speaking at the event, Deji Tinubu, Lagos State Sports Commission Chairman and Special Adviser on Sports to the Governor of Lagos State said many people know about Monopoly but they have not really capture it the way Bestman Games is about to bring it to the limelight in Lagos.

 

“The philosophy behind Monopoly is in line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision on sports where he wants to create opportunity for every child to engage in sports, while the government will provide the enabling environment with active collaboration with the private sector.”

“Our youths, who are leaders of tomorrow, need to be empowered through sports and the emergence of Monopoly, as a sport in the state, has opened doors for children to participate in any sports of their choice.

 

“It is not a must that every child will play football, basketball and other popular sports; they need to be given the chance to test their potential in other games. This is what the vision of Monopoly is all about. I thank Bestman Games for bringing this initiative,’’ he said.

 

“I want to officially announce that Monopoly is now a recognized sport in Lagos State.”

 

Also speaking at the launch of the game, Nimi Akinkugbe, the CEO of Bestman Games disclosed that Monopoly came to Lagos in December 2012; she explained that the launch was geared towards revolutionizing the sport in the state by instilling a sense of community and nostalgia amongst all those who love Lagos and Nigeria.

 

“Nearly four years ago in 2012, we gathered at the imposing City Hall on Catholic Mission Street for the launch of the City of Lagos Edition of Monopoly by the former Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. It was the first African city edition of Hasbro’s World Famous board game and we are deeply proud that the Mega City of Lagos was honoured with that special status. Our company, Bestman Games is the African distributor of customized edition of Monopoly,’’ she said.”

 

Akinkugbe disclosed that through Monopoly she was already aware of Old Kent Road, Mayfair and Parklane before visiting London, saying that Nigerian children at home and the Diaspora now have a board game they could identify with and learn about.

 

She further added that a tournament, tagged City of Lagos U-17 Monopoly Championship, will hold on September 17 with no fewer than 2,000 students from 100 private and public schools fighting to become Lagos State Monopoly champion.

 

She revealed that a tournament tagged City of LagosU-17 Monopoly Championship would hold on September 17 where no fewer than 2,000 students from 100 schools from both private and public will vie for the position of Lagos State champion. The overall winner is expected to take home N1 million educational fund.

 

“A month ago, we had the pleasure of training 100 teachers from 100 Lagos schools for the championship. It is appropriate that this historic tournament in which we expect to beat a world record should take place on the grounds of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, which is the landmark of Monopoly Board,” Akinkugbe said.

 

Anthony Nlebem