The secretary-general of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel (aka TM) has come out with a deeply emotional declaration that late Coach Osahon Emokpae deserves more than the one day competition that was staged in his honour on Saturday.
Sports247 reports that ‘TM Oscar’ made the declaration during a single day competition that was staged at FHA Stadium, FESTAC Town, Lagos in honour of the former assistant coach of NGFF’s once busting youth football project, National Grassroots Dream Team.
TM Oscar, who is also the director of Pison Divine Royals International Sports Promotions, thanked all the clubs, coaches, players, stakeholders and fans who turned up to participate in the first edition of Coach Osahon Emokpae Memorial Football Carnival, which he promised will henceforth be a regular annual event.
He also thanked a long-standing female soccer and grassroots football promoter, Ariyo Ashiwaju for turning up at the venue, as well as the director of ECAS FC and president of Iba Coaches Council for his timely financial contributions towards the competition’s success.
The ‘Grassroots Football Marshall’ and former president of Orient Youth Sports Association (ORYSA), also thanked Eswatini-based leader of God’s Glory Ministries (GGM), Pastor Victor Macdonald for sponsoring awards for best goalkeeper, most valuable player and highest goal scorer.
“I am happy that we have eventually been able to stage this one day competition in memory of our late coach,” said TM Oscar, after the conclusion of all seven pulsating matches, “but a single day’s competition is not enough to honour him.
“I am happy that we were able to use this gathering to mark Coach Osahon’s posthumous birthday, which was last Thursday. It’s our own little way of showing that we love him and appreciate everything he did while alive.
“He worked for free at National Grassroots Dream Team and served as caretaker chairman of Badagry Division Football Association until his death. This means that he also deserves to be recognised by Lagos State government.”
Sports247 reports further that SC Heritage of Ojo Barracks won Saturday’s competition, which was described as ‘a friendly contest’ among clubs that had various shades of interactions with the late Coach Osahon during his lifetime.
The late youth football developer’s personal club, Young Stars FC of Satellite Town fell 6-5 on penalties after settling for a goalless draw with Coach Raymond Akalugbo’s side in the final, which capped a busy day of grassroots football.
Other teams that featured in the carnival included Santana Boys FC, Intercontinental FC, De-Atlanta Football Academy, Owiseb FC, ECAS FC and Flying Sports Academy, who opened the day with a goalless draw against the eventual runners-up but lost the resultant shootout 5-3.
, Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel (aka TM) has come out with a deeply emotional declaration that late Coach Osahon Emokpae deserves more than the one day competition that was staged in his honour on Saturday.){kind=link}