Emmanuel lkpeama.
Football team from Okeafa Ward in Ejigbo LCDA have emerged champions of the Lagata Initiative Sports Competition organized by Hon ldowu Adebamwo Fatai (Aka Lagata)for the 6 wards in Ejigbo LCDA.
The team humbled team from lfoshi ward 2-1 to lift the second edition of the tournament that was watched by the community leaders,youth leaders, politicians and football scouts at the MKO Stadium, Okeafa, Ejigbo Lagos on Sunday 28th July,2024.
Ebalu of jersey number 13 put the Okeafa side ahead on 22 minute from Madu Collins beautiful cross as he dribbled pass the Ifoshi defence line to set up Ebalu’s chance. Madu Collins doubled the lead for Okeafa on 93 minute to give the Okeafa football team the winning cup as he sent the Okeafa fans into a rapturous celebration.
Earlier in the first half,Kufre Samuel equalise the goal scored by Ebalu and the team struggled to keep the score line that way but could not hold the defense as Madu sent the lfoshi team who had put much effort to clinch the title to second position.
The coach of Ifoshi ward football team,Abdullateff Yusuf expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players.
He lauded them for playing to his instructions against the Okeafa team despite loosing the winning cup.
“We thank God for the competition and I must commend the effort of my players for playing to instructions, at least getting to the final and playing against the home team. My team was far better than them but in football there must be a winner,next time we look forward to improve and win the competition.”
Yusuf appeal to the organisers to improve on the officiating and also consider the venue of the competition as the home team made used of the advantage of using their soil for the final.
Also the Coach of the winning team,Mr Micheal lhejike commended the organisers for putting up such event the second time so as to bring youths together, noting that his team winning this year tournament was as a result of hard work and determination.
Speaking to Newsmen,the PRO of Lagata Empowerment initiative ,Mr Aderemi Olagunju said he was happy that the event was a huge success, while commending other members of the team lagata for doing a great job, stating that this second edition is better than the first edition despite some hiccups.
Mr Olagunju went further to highlight the main objective of the Lagata Empowerment initiative which is service to humanity, giving back to the less privileged and assisting those in need through empowerment scheme.
He opined that the organization whose major aim is to bring out youths out of the trenches and empower them with various skills and financial support would come up with massive projects, noting that the competition resonates with the policies and program of the Lagata Empowerment initiative of taking grassroots sports to another level, describing the grassroots as the future of Nigeria sports.
Olagunju commended the sponsor for sustaining the tournament, noting that the organization would continue to create enabling environment for sports to thrive, describing sports as a huge investment, and called on the youths in the state to be focused and not be distracted.
According to him, the crime rate in the state has reduced drastically as a result of the tournament that has continued to be the vehicle that has engaged the youths positively, stressing that he was pleased with the progress of the tournament after second edition
While congratulating both winners and all the participating teams for the show of dexterity throughout the game, the PRO commended other members of the event for their thoroughness and commitment throughout the competition.
On his part,Mr Babalola Musa appreciate the Lagata Initiative and the sponsor for his ”outstanding contributions” to the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria, while urging the youths of making good use of the opportunity giving to them.
Lending his voice, Chairman youth parliament,Comrade Adeyemi pointed that it was a wonderful event, bringing youths together, adding that with this kind of development,it will reduce vices carried out by youths.
He commended the efforts of the organisers for coming up with such initiative, while urging youths to shun the intended planned protest slated for August 1.
Investigator News reports that aside the football competition, the Lagata Initiative Sports Competition also hosted indoor games like Table tennis, Snooker and Draught where winners also emerged.
In Table tennis,Uwandu came top, Adamson Rotimi emerge winner in Draught and Chinedu Duru won the prize in Snooker with each of them going home with a medal, plaque and a cash award of N20,000.
Champions Okeafa FC smiled home with a sum of One hundred thousand naira(N100,000)runner up Ifoshi FC got Fifty thousand naira (50,000),the top scorer is Musa Aderanjo with 3goals and 2assist, while Madu Chukwuebuka was the best player of the tournament.
Highlight of the event was food items that were given to the fans through a raffle ticket draw.
