Wale Jagun
After three weeks of intense football actions and engagements, Sholumade FC have emerged the champions of the maiden edition of the Ijede Chairman’s 5 – Aside Football Tournament, beating their opponents, Ojikuti FC, 1 – 0, to lift the cup.
The team was presented with N500, 000 star prize and a golden trophy by the council boss and initiator of the tournament, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, at the well – attended final match at Anwar-UL-Islam Primary School, Ijede. The second placed team, Ojikuti FC, received N300, 000 with a silver trophy.
In the third- place match played on Friday, Oke – Eletu 2 FC edged Palace FC 1 goal to nil, to claim the N200, 000 monay prize for the third place team.
Hon. Gbadebo-Alogba commended all the teams that participated for the entertaining and engaging football actions that lasted three weeks.
While also acknowledging the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by the players, the council boss reiterated her commitment to the grassroots sports development and empowerment of the youths.
She pledged to sustain the tournament and make it a bigger and better championship.
While Mr Onasanya, the representative of Olacross Global Football Agency, announced a footballing scholarship to Europe for Master Murtala Yusuf, a 16-year-old player of Palace FC and Ablaze Academy who emerged the Best Player of the tournament, the Chairman agreed to pay for his flight tickets and provide support for other running costs.
Other individual prizes awarded were: Best Goalkeeper: Samuel Adekoya (Sholumade FC), Best Behaved team (Palm Avenue), Highest goal Scorer: Tabiti Elisha (Oke-Eletu FC), and Man of the Match (MOM) Usman Raji.
Meanwhile, Sholumade FC have attributed their remarkable success to the teamwork and unity among the players.
The tournament was initiated to promote and discover talents which abound in Ijede, to advance cooperation among youths and promote peace and unity amongst residents.
Also at the final match were key stakeholders including Executive members and management members of ljede LCDA, led by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Kareem Kabir, the Council legislators led by Hon. Kehinde Fadeyi, political leaders, CDC /CDA chieftains, and residents.
