Michu/MK Boys of Offa yesterday defeated Taofoland FA from Ibadan on penalties, to win the maiden edition of Honourable’s Cup soccer competition organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Offa chapter, and sponsored by Hon.(Engr) Abdulwaheed Gbenga Yusuf, JK, who is representing Eesa/Shawo/Igboidun at the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Nurudeen Balogun scored the first goal for the Offa boys as early as the third minutes of play, but they seems not to have enough stamina to contain the rampaging Ibadan boys, especially in the second half, as highly enterprising Akintunde Azeez leveled up few minutes to end the highly explosive match.
The Offa team won the match 5-4 on penalties, to cart home the giant trophy and cash prize of N150, 000. Toafoland FA got N100, 000 for coming second, while Antlers FC got N75, 000 for beating Olaiya Boys 1-0 in the third place match.
32 teams from Kwara, Osun and Oyo states participated in the talent hunt competition, which the sponsor has not only pledged to sustain, but to institute as a legacy and template for discovering young talented players in Offa and it’s environs.
‘I feel so honoured. The main aim of the competition was to improve on football development through the discovery of young talents. It will continue annually, and I also hope to institutionalize the legacy, so that it can continue even after I leave office’, Hon. Yusuf said.
He also added that he plans to sponsor other events, especially track and field events in the area.
The House Leader at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Magaji Abubakar Olawoyin who said that he was impressed with the competition described sports as one of the vital tools to positively engage the youth.
He praised the sponsor and the organisers of the competition.
Equally, the Chairman, Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Hon. Awolola Ayokunle described sports as a religion and one of the weapons to bring people together, because of the passion.
The Group Managing Director/CEO of Harmony Holdings, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulmajeed, while commending the sponsor, averred that more efforts needs to be dedicated towards developing the youth, adding that what he witnessed in the final has activated his interest in supporting sports.
The State Chairman of YSFON, Mallam Ademola Kiyesola praised the sponsor for creating yet another youth development platform with the competition, even as he added that other Honourable members, both in the Executive and Legislative arms would be encouraged to replicate same in their areas.
The four semi-finalists in the competition got sets of jerseys each, while Oyetunji Mojeed of Oluwalolagbega FC was picked as Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. Other individual honour winners include Jamiu Abdulrahman of Shittu Boys FC (Highest Goal Scorer), Coach Alabi Sunday Emmanuel of Antlers FC of Ilorin (Most Disciplined Coach), Mallam Rauf Ahmed (Most Disciplined Supporter), while Wasiu Jimoh of Michu/MK Boys wins the Most Valuable Player award.
Other dignitaries present at the colourful final include Hon. Jare Olatundun, Hon. Musa Atoyebi, who is the Chief Whip of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, the HOD, Administration, Offa Local Government Area, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, who is the Commissioner for Energy, among others.
