- Title: NIGERIA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Rio Ferdinand honoured before street soccer kickoff
- Date: 10th June 2008
- Summary: (SU) LAGOS, NIGERIA (JUNE 7, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OBA RILWANU AKIOLU, TRADITIONAL RULER OF LAGOS, WITH MANCHESTER UNITED AND ENGLAND DEFENDER RIO FERDINAND FERDINAND SITS ALONGSIDE AKIOLU ON THRONE TRADITIONAL CHIEFS PAY HOMAGE CLOSE UP FERDINAND WIDE OF FERDINAND AND AKIOLU
- Embargoed: 25th June 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVADNT4VA50Z14W7GAR2NBQ88F3T
- Story Text: Manchester United and England international soccer star Rio Ferdinand received an honourary chieftaincy title on Saturday (June 7) from a Nigerian traditional ruler, Oba Riwanu Akiolu of Lagos, after arriving in the west African country to launch a street soccer tournament.
United captain Ferdinand was presented with wooden beads and a hat, the traditional decorations of a chief, in the ruler's palace.
Following the ceremony Ferdinand, who last month helped Manchester United defeat Chelsea in the final of the Champions League, took part in a demonstration match as part of the opening of the five-a-side tournament.
Thousands of players between 16 and 18 years old will be competing in knock out competitions across 57 venues during the tournament, aimed at nurturing young talent and at boosting the confidence of youngsters living rough in the region. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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