The highly anticipated 2024 Ships & Ports Maritime Cup Competition, Nigeria’s premier maritime sporting event, is set to commence on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, with an electrifying opening match between defending champions Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and 2010 winners Micura Stevedoring Services in a high-stakes encounter.
The competition, organised by Ships & Ports Communication Company, brings together top-tier companies and government agencies from both the private and public sectors, making it the only competitive sporting event in the Nigerian maritime industry.
Officiated by FIFA-badge referees from the Lagos State Referees Council, the 15-year-old tournament will be fiercely contested, as participants compete for the prestigious trophy from 15th October to 6th November 2024.
This year’s edition will feature 11 teams competing in three groups, promising a showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie within the maritime sector.
Group A includes the 2009 champions Nigerian Navy, Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and 2019 champions ENL Consortium Limited.
Group B comprises five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), APM Terminals, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and Comet Shipping Agencies Nigeria.
In Group C, defending champions Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will face 2010 champions Micura Stevedoring Services and Trucks Transit Parks (TTP).
The CEO of Ships & Ports Communication Company, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, said the importance of the Maritime Cup competition to the Nigerian maritime sector cannot be overstated, saying: “Beyond the competition, it serves as a platform to foster unity, teamwork, and collaboration among stakeholders. It encourages friendship and networking, promoting a sense of community and cooperation that is crucial for the growth and development of the maritime industry.
“The tournament also provides an opportunity for participants to bond outside of their usual work environments, enhancing communication and building stronger relationships across the sector. Through the Maritime Cup, players and supporters alike come together in a spirit of healthy competition, further solidifying the sense of togetherness that is vital for the progress of Nigeria’s maritime industry,” Akinola said.
The CEO said the competition serves as a launchpad for young talent, potentially feeding into Nigeria’s national football teams. He said by encouraging youth participation in sports, the Maritime Cup promotes healthy lifestyles and develops skills, discipline, and sportsmanship among players.
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