NPA Battle Shippers’ Council As 2023 Maritime Cup Kicks Off

Defending champions Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) will lock horns with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) at the 13th Ships & Ports Annual Maritime Cup Football Competition kicks off in Lagos.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.Speaking at the draw ceremony for the competition held on Tuesday in Surulere, Lagos, head of the technical committee, Prince Adesegun Kosoko, commended Ships & Ports Communications Company for sustaining the competition for the past 14 years.

Prince 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 fair officiating in all the matches in line with FIFA rules.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the Maritime Cup, Mrs. Oluwatosin Rotimi, assured the participating teams of an exciting competition, saying over the years, the Maritime Cup, which is the 13th edition has been officiated by approved FIFA-badge referees.

She said matches of the competition this year will be played at The Stable and NPA Sports Ground, both in Surulere, Lagos. At the ddraw on Tuesday, the 15 participating teams were placed in four Groups.Group A is made up of defending champions Nigerian Ports Authority (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).