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By OJEIKERE AIKHOJE
The sleepy town of Ikenne, capital of Ikenne Local Government Area, has become entered the history books of the Nigeria Premier Football League as the town with the least population to be home to a champion following the success of Remo Stars.
Ikenne also becomes the third city after Gboko, in Benue State and Aba, in Abia State, which is not a state capital to be home to the NPFL champions.
With an estimated population of 119,117 people from the 2006 National Census, Ikenne clearly earns the bragging rights.
Since Remo Stars relocated from neighbouring Sagamu, Ikenne has become a sports destination attracting thousands every match day.
Remo Stars’ impressive sports facilities has attracted football clubs and created attention for the town.
The city has already hosted matches in Africa’s elite club competition, the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.
El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club, based in Nigeria’s north east city of Maiduguri migrated to Ikenne, in South West Nigeria to play in the CAF Confederation Cup due to their failure to convince CAF of its suitability for matches.
Football Tourism Experience
Sunday’s event will be different as the city plays hosts to the Who-Is-Who in Nigerian football as Remo Stars will be coronated for winning the NFL for the first time.
The bulk of spectators for the coronation will be coming for the country’s capital, Abuja as well as Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States offering them the opportunity of experiencing Ikenne.
According to Travel and Tour World, “this form of tourism goes beyond the mere act of attending a game; it encompasses the entire journey, including sightseeing, dining, and immersing oneself in the local football culture.”
Renovation of the popular Lagos Ibadan Expressway has equally attracted more fans and visitors to the area, potentially leading to increased revenue for businesses around the stadium.
It promises to be a colourful occasion and a special day for Kunle Soname, proprietor of Remo Stars.
“I’m excited to see fans come to Ikenne to watch matches,” he said to sportbusinessbrands.com when the club hosted its first ever CAF Confederation Cup tie against Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.
Impact of Football Tourism
The mere existence of a football club in the national top flight can have a positive effect on the total tourism a town receives.
Travelers to Ikenne on Sunday will include journalists, influencers and content creators.
In fact, the presence of journalists as well as content creators and their posts on X, Facebook and Instagram about Sunday’s epic clash against high flying Ikorodu City and Remo Stars’ coronation will attract more local and international attention than any other tourism campaign embarked upon by the Ogun State Ministry of Tourism and Culture!
About Ojeikere Aikhoje
Ojeikere Aikhoje has covered the domestic league, now Nigeria Premier Football League since 1988.
Based in Lagos, his experience covers Sports Business as well as Sports Geography. He is also a Marketing Communications practitioner.
