The Managing Director/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited, Dr. Olusegun Olugboyegun has shown his happiness at the display of soccer artistry by the kids who took part in the maiden Lagos State JOF U-13 Football Championship.
The month-long school sports football competition had its final played at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island on Sunday with youngsters from Abu Babes of Ibeju Lekki showed their supremacy over their opponents, AZ Zola Football Club from Ijegun. They won the final match 5-3 and a prize money of the sum of N200, 000. AZ Zola who came second were rewarded with the sum of N150, 000.
The third place match was a tough tie between Aguda United of Aguda Surulere and Zamak Babes. The match entered penalty shootouts after the regulation time ended in 2-2 draw. It was Aguda United which eventually won the match after the penalties ended 4-3. Aguda United pocketed the sum of N100, 000, while the fourth placed team, Zamak Babes won N50, 000.
Dr. Olugboyegun, who watched the final match alongside his wife Bola, said he was delighted to watch how the young footballers displayed their skills on the field, adding that the U-13 football tournament has been the level where raw talented footballers are supposed to be tapped. He said with what the young boys played in the final, he believes the future of the round leather game in Nigeria lies with the U-13 footballers.
He further disclosed that JOF Nigeria Limited will continue with the sponsorship of the competition annually with renew vigour and additional packages to add glamour to the age grade football competition starting from the next edition.
Olugboyegun, who had played football during his youthful age noted that he found joy seeing the happiness in the kids playing football to display their God-given talent at the Campos Stadium on Sunday. He advised Nigerian youth to better their lot in what God has deposited in them as talent for them to shun societal vices and be good citizens of the country.
Akinwunmi Samad of AZ Zola was given the High Goalscorer of the tournament after scoring nine goals, Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was won by Boluwatife Thompson, and Best Goalkeeper award was given to Rilwan Yusuf of Aguda United, while the Best Behave Team award was won by Aguda United.
The final ceremony of the first Lagos State JOF U-13 Football Tournament was colourful with the attendance of dignitaries who included top management staff of JOF Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi of First Bank Plc, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos, Mr. Adetilewa Adebajo, Chairman of Stationary Stores of Lagos, Captain Olufemi Ibitoye and a host of others.
The final ceremony of the maiden JOF U-13 Football Championship enjoyed some corporate supports from First Bank, Nigerian Breweries Plc which spice the event with its Maltina drinks, Milo nourishing drink from Nestle Nigeria Plc. The corporate supporters also lavished the winners, second, third and fourth position winning teams with their products, while the dignitaries and spectators were not left out.
