Pepsi reaffirms commitment to Nigerian football

Pepsi, which was the only beverage firm to present a team at the just concluded Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship, has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of football in Nigeria.

Speaking on Sunday, which was the closing day of the Copa Lagos held at the Eko Atlantic, Managing Director, Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney, said whether on grass or sand, Pepsi will continue to support the growth and development of football in Nigeria.

He described COPA Lagos as one of the biggest beach soccer tournaments in the world, adding that Pepsi, as a global brand with passion for football development, is proud to be associated with the competition for the past five years.

According to him, “through the Pepsi Football Academy, lots of talented young Nigerians have been discovered and nurtured to become world football stars in the past 23 years, including John Obi Mike, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echejile, Onyekachi Apam, among others.

“Besides, 15 Pepsi Academy youngsters have benefited from a two-year Pepsi scholarship to play football and study at some of United Kingdom’s best high schools. Just last June, Nneku Joseph and Ekeh Divine were selected to study and play professional soccer at Brooke House College in United Kingdom for two years.”

Also speaking at the event, Head of Marketing, Seven Up Bottling Plc., Mr. Norden Thurston, said the Pepsi Football Academy was being repositioned to develop viable youngsters, who will play in the national team in future.