Kunle Adelabu
The goal Keeper for the Igbogbo All Stars, Seun Omolaja, popular called ‘Owo’ (Hand) proved without a doubt that he is a dependable goalie, when he singled – handedly won the final of the maiden edition of the Ikorodu Constituency II Unity Cup for his team.
Owo in the match which ended 0 -0 at the regulation time of the tournament that was initiated and sponsored by Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Public Private Partnership (PPP), saved four penalties from the Makbet All Stars of Ibeshe, to give the Igbogbo team the victory.
The final match was an epic one with both team unable to convert their chances.
The Igbogbo team lifted trophy and prize money of N500, 000 after the team won the penalty shoot-out by 13 as against 12 for the Ibeshe team which went home with N400, 000.
In the third-place match played earlier between Alabiamo All Stars of Agunfoye and All Stars Igbe which ended 1 – 1 and also went into penalty shootout, the Agunfoye team won 7 – 6, to emerge as the second runner – up and received N300, 000 for their efforts while the fourth placed team got N200, 000.
The Igbogbo team also dominated the individual awards. While Seun Omolaja (Owo) was awarded the Best Goal Keeper of the tournament, Femi Olusanya also of Igbogbo emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Obayomi Ekine, the Igbogbo All Stars coach was adjudged as the best in the tournament. The Ijede All Stars team was pronounced as the best team.
The sponsor, at the finals, also announced the refund of N50, 000 registration by the 16 teams that participated in the tournament.
The final match played at the Egbin Thermal PLC field on Sunday, was witnessed by His Royal Majesties, Oba (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, and High Chief Musediq Alliu, Regent/Olisa of Ijede.
Hon. Aro Moshood speaking at the tournament, thanked God for its success while also appreciating royal fathers, participating teams and entire residents of Ikorodu Constituency II for their support and cooperation.
“This is a Unity Cup and we are all winners. I am grateful to the Almighty God for making the first edition of Ikorodu Constituency II Unity Cup a reality.
“I am very happy that God took control of the cup and both Igbogbo All Stars and the Makbet All Stars are all winners.
“I thank our royal fathers who are the symbols of unity for their presence. I thank the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Ranodu of Imota and the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom and the Regent of Ijede. I thank my father, Hon. Saheed Hassan and Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola who I did not know has so much passion for the game, but thank God that Igbogbo eventually won the cup”, he said.
The lawmaker stated that the football competition achieved its aims which is to promote unity and love, and further pleaded that it should be sustained beyond the competition.
“This historic tournament was initiated to promote unity, love and sportsmanship within our community, while fostering youth development and fitness.
“Over the weeks, it has been a platform to celebrate football talents and bring together people from all works of life
“The final showdown that we just witnessed between Igbogbo All Stars and Makbet, Ibeshe All Stars, is a testament to the unity that exists between us.
“I feel so happy because the match was so interesting it was decided through penalty shootouts with both teams playing 11 penalties without any of the teams emerging winner and had to end at 13 – 12 for the winners to emerge.
“This has shown the love and bonds among us. I saw Kabiyesi (Adeboruwa) jumping out of his seat when Igbogbo eventually won to jubilate the victory. Likewise, I saw some of my leaders like Pastor Ayetoba, too showing passion for the Ibeshe team.
“Here, we are all showing our love for our different communities and we must extend this to our entire constituency because, it is through this that we can achieve not just development, but a sustainable one,” he said.
While pleading with royal fathers to lead the campaign for unity and love across the constituency, Hon. Aro assured that they would be the face of the tournament starting from the second edition.
Oba Kasali in his royal remarks commended the representative for the initiative of using football to promote unity and affirmed that the tournament has received the blessings of the entire royal fathers in the constituency.
“Thank you Hon. Aro Moshood for this tournament. This is a good development for us in Constituency II. God will continue to give you the strength to continue and to extend this laudable idea of using sporting activities to bring youths within the constituency together.
“I wish all of us the best of the best for the remaining part of the year and also wish all of us the very best in the coming year,” the royal father said.
The two other royal fathers also commended Hon. Aro Moshood and gave their blessings to the tournament and his representation.
The Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Agoro said that he has been delivering on his mandate to the people.
“In Constituency II, you can see that we have not made any mistake with AMA. We have chosen the right person. Aro Moshood has made us proud. This unity cup that he is organising is one of the many things that he has been doing since he has assumed office.
“You are still going places and I thank you all very much for coming today to witness one of the things that he has been doing”, he said.
In his own remarks, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, the Divisional Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), commended and appreciated the lawmaker on behalf of the party, adding that he is making them proud.
Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, while also thanking Hon. Aro added that they are blessed in the constituency to have him as a representative.
She also thanked the teams and spectators for their spirit of sportsmanship exhibited throughout the tournament.
There were enough foods and drinks for guests, players and spectators after the match with 9ice, the ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner and Dphee, who recently released a popular single, ‘Ladugbo Mi’, entertaining them.
Others at the finals were Comrade Lekan Oba, SSA to the Governor of Lagos State on Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Chairman, Ijede, Hon. Saheed Hassan, former Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Orenuga, Chairman, APC Igbogbo/Bayeku LGA, Alhaj Sefiu Ogunyemi, APC chieftain and Alhaji Golden Jay, APC chieftain, Hon. Gbenga Basanya, vice chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Col. (Dr.) Titilola Onafowokan, Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, Dean, Students’ Affairs, LASU, Mr Kunle Olambiwoninu, Secretary to Ijede LCDA, Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr Muhammed, Secretary to Imota LCDA and Mr Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA).
