A Lagos-based match arbiter, Ese Williams, has been flooded with a large array of accolades after winning the best referee award at this year’s The Creative Championship (TCC) youth league, in which he stood out for his almost flawless officiating.
Sports247 reports that commendations and prayers for better days ahead rolled in for him across the internet, as friends, colleagues and fans hailed Williams for the award, which also earned him a cash prize of ₦750,000 for his stellar efforts throughout the season.
Another referee from Lagos State, Kehinde Hameed, placed second and received ₦500,000 for performing well during the competition, while Azeez Muideen Adeyemi from Ogun State emerged in third position and got ₦250,000 for his efforts.
It marks another feather added to the growing cap of Williams, a professional fitness instructor and freelance SCT trainer, who officiates matches regularly in the National Youth League, President Federation Cup and Nationwide League One (NLO).
His latest achievement immediately gained traction on social media, with an array of comments rolling across various platforms to celebrate what many termed a well-deserved recognition for the calm ref.
Fast-rising grassroots football commentator, Bolaji Bale reacted to the development with a post on social media, which noted in part: “The Creative Championship (TCC) has rewarded outstanding officiating from the 2025/26 season with the presentation of the @flyvaluejet Referee of the Year Award.
“The awards highlight TCC’s continued commitment to recognising not only the players and teams who excel on the pitch, but also the match officials whose performances contribute to the quality and professionalism of the league.”
Sports247 reports further that The Creative Championship (TCC) is a prominent private grassroots football league and cup competition founded in November 2020 with eight pioneering clubs, which has evolved into a major reference point for youth football development and player scouting in Nigeria.
For this year’s climax, Atlantic Business defeated eternal favourites, Beyond Limits 1-0, as Coach Japhet’s side held on firmly in a thrilling encounter to become the second-ever side to win the TCC Super Cup, with a perfect result to kick off the new season.
The main revelations this year included Golden Glove winner Daniel Aiyenugba, joined by the TCC Cup-winning duo of Friday Cornelius and Wisdom Ledogo, as well as defenders Abubakar Abdullahi (Beyond Limits FA) and Sheriff Aare (Sporting Lagos FA).
Others are Faruk Alimi (Sporting Lagos), Oluwatobi Ewarawon (Atlantic Business), and Sanusi Hanif (Broad City) in midfield, while Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC) as well as the Beyond Limits duo of Yusuf Saka and Merveille Akinocho twinkled in attack.
