Kunle Adelabu
-Prioritise children fun park
-Feature amputee game, ex – internationals, indoor games
The organisers of the Oldies Appreciation Game and Family Funfair, have stated that their intention is to create festival of sports for families and residents of Igbogbo, both home and in the diasporas, to relax and enjoy timeout with families and friends.
The initiative, which commenced about 15 years ago and had three years break, started with only football novelty match. However, coming edition has bumper package like many indoor games, children’s activities, novelty matches and entertainment galore.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event, Prince Ademola Ogunlewe, and Head, Media & Publicity, Mr Tolu Faniyi, were guests on THE IMPACT platform Thursday evening,
Among games that the 12th edition, which is coming up at United African Methodist Church (Eleja), located at Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Igbogbo, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, is featuring are: Exhibition Match featuring Amputee Federation of Nigeria and Novelty Match with ex – international and other veteran players.
“Our intention is to create a sporting festival where people can have fun with their family, and at the same time, take care of themselves”, Mr Tolu Faniyi said during the session.
Prince Ogunlewe, Chairman, LOC, shedding more light on the forthcoming event, described the event as a multifaceted one, adding that it is a way of appreciating veteran sportsmen and creating relaxation avenue for family and children.
“This Event is a multi-faceted one – an event which addresses multiple needs of the people and the society at large”, he said.
“For starters, it is our belief that sports veterans are not being appreciated nor celebrated enough. Many atimes, we celebrate them by organizing memorial matches after their demise or leading the charge when they are medically challenged.
“Do we continue this trend or fashion a way out to appreciate them at the right time? We chose the latter for obvious reasons”, he asked.
“Second, to say we are living in a pressure cooker in this country is an understatement. We barely have time for free time. Fun time devoids of any compelling duty or responsibility. In this regard, this event creates an avenue for a leisure time occupied by recreational activities which many of us cherished”, he added.
“In addition, the inclusion of other activities ensures the event is a complete package for friends, families, etc”.
On the children funfair, Faniyi assured parents of maximum enjoyment for the children at the event.
“Parents should expect maximum fun for their kids as we will be having games, fun activities and clowns for them. The children will have a section of the event exclusively dedicated to them with full educational activities also put in place”, she said.
“We have put in place security to cater for the safety of the children. Caregivers, medical officers and monitoring team will be on ground fully dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of the children.
“We have priotized the children fun park this edition. Registered kids will be going home with gift packs and souvenirs.
“There will be a lot to eat and drink for the kids. It will surely be an unforgettable experience for the kids”, Faniyi said.
Events outlined for the children fun park are: Bouncing Castle, Mountain Climb, Games, Slide, Music, Refreshments, Swimming Pool and Trampoline.
Speaking on the amputee’s game, Faniyi said:
“We have partnered with the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, with the intention of making the sports more popular, and also to offer our support to the special people in the community”, he said.
“We want the spectators to enjoy another kind of football game away from the regular football games. The board of the amputee federation will be on ground to show solidarity for the programme”, he added.
Ogunlewe, speaking further on the arrangement for the event, said that it’s going to be a friendly engagement where residents and others come in and enjoy themselves.
“We aren’t in a competition. We just want to converge and enjoy. The phrase, no victor, no vanquish, is very apt when we speak about this event”, he said.
He listed Ludo, Scrabble, Table Tennis, Snooker, Card Games, Ayo Olopon and Draught, as some of the indoor games, while also stating that there will also be medical mission featuring Blood Pressure Test, Blood Sugar Test and Medical Consultation, at the event.
At the festival, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Alaiyeluwa) Barr. Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, will be the Royal Father, while Builder Sesan Mayokun Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, is the Chief Host, and Mr Toyin Gafaar (Bolowotan) as the Special Guest of honour.
Ex – international and veterans expected at the game are: Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana), ex Green Eagles goalkeeper, Mr. Jide Oguntuase, ex – Flying Eagles international, Mr. Ephraim Bababo, ex – Stationery Stores player, Yusuf Ayila, ex- Super Eagles player, Mr. Abiodun Obafemi, MON, Mr. Wasiu Ipaye, Ex – international, Mr. Taiwo Oloyede , Ex – International and Mr. Ademola Ikudaisi, also ex – international.
Other guests expected to grace the event are: Mrs. Regina Nkpa, Secretary General, Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Mrs. Nwose Nonye, Secretary Amputee Football Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Odior, President Softball Association of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Ouakor – President Amputee Football Federation of Nigeria and Super Eagles Supporter’s Club and many others.
