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New Strategic Football Development Partnership Between Kazakhstan and Lagos
Today marks the beginning of a new era in international football collaboration as the Aktobe Regional Football Association of Kazakhstan and the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) engaged in strategic discussions to establish a long-term football development partnership.
This meeting, facilitated by GSL Global Network, reinforces its dedication to fostering significant global football relationships.
Askhat Sagitzhanuly Kalzhanov, the President of the Aktobe Regional Football Association, traveled to Lagos to meet with Hajji Gafar Liameed, the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.
Their discussions aimed to identify areas of mutual cooperation that would enhance football development in both regions.
Key topics included the establishment of sustainable opportunities through technical exchanges, youth development initiatives, coach education, talent identification, club partnerships, and providing international exposure for players and football administrators.
As Nigeria’s commercial capital and a prominent center for football, Lagos offers vast opportunities for collaboration. With more than 2,000 football academies, 10 professional clubs, a variety of grassroots competitions, and one of Africa’s richest reservoirs of football talent, Lagos stands out as a premier location for football development, player cultivation, and innovation.
The Lagos State Football Association has consistently positioned itself as a forward-thinking governing body by implementing strategic initiatives that support grassroots football, enhance capacity building, promote women’s football, organize youth competitions, foster international partnerships, and ensure sustainable football administration.
During his visit, President Kalzhanov participated in the ongoing Train The Trainers programme, where Serbian football instructors are conducting an intensive coaching development course for coaches in Lagos.
He conveyed his admiration for the programme’s quality and the FA’s dedication to ongoing coach education and technical excellence. This initiative strengthens the belief that investing in coaches is one of the most effective strategies to enhance the overall standard of football development.
President Kalzhanov is set to stay in Lagos for an additional week to observe further football activities, visit selected football academies and professional clubs, and continue discussions with the Lagos State Football Association regarding practical collaboration areas.
Both Associations are hopeful that this partnership will facilitate exchange programmes for coaches, players, and technical experts, while also paving the way for new avenues of international cooperation and football investment.
The Lagos State Football Association is dedicated to forging global partnerships that generate opportunities for its football ecosystem and further position Lagos as Africa’s leading centre for football excellence.
Ahead of the 2026/2027 NNL season, teams have intensified preparations with the recruitments of new players and officials, as well as, engaging in trial games.
Lagos based NNL side Smart City Football Club, are leaving no stones unturned as it has doubled up its preparations to ensure it gets the much desired ticket to the topmost cadre of Nigerian football, Nigeria Premier Football League.
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Speaking exclusively with Sports Chronicle Magazine, Abiodun Obafemi, who is the sporting director of Smart City FC, disclosed that the team is well prepared and better motivated ahead of the season’s task.
“We’re presently done with recruitments, we rounded up everything last week. So, we’re basically in the last phase of our preparations, with grade A friendly games lined up,” he disclosed.
Speaking on the targets of the management, Abiodun Obafemi, MON and a 1996 Olympic games gold medalist, said, “the target of all, including coaches, players and the leadership of team, of course, is to pick the sole NPFL ticket in our group.”
“We don’t just want to talk the talk, we want to do it this time around to make amend for the near misses of the last two seasons,” the former Super Eagles and Stationery Stores defender was full of praises for the management of the team for its commitment to the welfare and improvement of the team, ahead of the new football league season.
“In terms of motivation, the management has usual, has done their bit. And I can say that no Smart City player or official is being own a dime.
“Muchmore, there has been additional provisions of quality training materials, as well as, world class and modern football equipment,” he remarked gleefully.
“In my roles as a senior executive of the club, I remain committed to the development of the club, as well as, ensuring that all the units of the team, functions at their best to meet our seasonal goals. And our main objective this season, is promotion to the NPFL, which is long overdue,” he added.
Smart City FC have been placed in group B, and are expected to competed for the sole ticket to the NPFL, against other teams in the group, including, Beyond Limits FC, Ekiti United, Solution FC, Akwa United, Dokkal Khairu, Abakaliki FC, Bayelsa United and Right2Win FC.
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