The partners and sponsor of the 5th Edition of the JAFAK RingoNG Cup have promised bigger and more rewarding opportunities for Kwara State’s teeming youths and communities as the draws for the most anticipated grassroots football competition in the state were held last Tuesday at the Conference Room of Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Ilorin.
Speaking during the draws, the Chief Technology Innovator, RingoNG, Mr Dimeji Adefila, said, “We are indeed delighted to join distinguished guests, football enthusiasts, organisers and officials of participating teams in celebrating the commencement of this year’s tournament and reaffirming the importance of investing in grassroots talent, community development and safer communities.
“We warmly congratulate the 16 participating teams, and commend the Convener, Prince Lanre Fakayode, the Technical Committee, high delegates, coaches, officials, volunteers and everyone whose commitment has sustained this remarkable grassroots initiative.
“Five editions ago, JAFAK Cup began with a simple but powerful idea to give grassroots footballers a platform to compete, connect and be discovered. Five editions later, that idea has become a community tradition, a testament to vision, commitment and the belief that talent deserves an opportunity.
“For RingoNG, this partnership is personal. Ilorin is home. It is where many of us grew up, formed lifelong relationships and developed the values that continue to guide us.
“Our support for JAFAK RingoNG Cup is therefore more than sponsorship; it is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape us.
“We therefore believe that giving back should go beyond financial support. RingoNG brings technology for community safety, giving people a practical platform to report security concerns, suspicious activity, accidents, fires, missing persons and other emergencies. We are also helping communities become more informed, connected and responsive.
“Our message is simple: a safer community is a stronger community, and everyone has a role to play.”
In his remarks, the Chief Legal Executive, Mr Wale Bamigboye, who congratulated all the participants of the 5th Edition of JAFAK RingoNG Cup, divulged that winners of this year’s competition will get bigger rewards and better opportunities.
He said, “There is indeed a bigger reward for winners of this year’s tournament.
“The winner will receive ₦500,000, while the 2nd-place team and the 3rd-place team will receive the sum of ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively.
“Beyond the prize money, however, is the opportunity to showcase talents, build relationships and open doors.
“We are equally excited about the possibilities ahead, including our anticipated collaboration with Minnesota FC, which we hope will create new pathways for grassroots talent to connect with opportunities beyond Ilorin.
“To the 16 teams, we implore you all to play with courage, compete with integrity, respect one another and give it everything you’ve got.
“The trophy matters, the prize matters. But so does the opportunity to be seen, to grow and to inspire the next generation.
“From all of us at RingoNG, we are proud of JAFAK, proud of Ilorin and proud to give back to the community we call home.
“Once again, congratulations to everyone involved, and may the 5th Edition of JAFAK RingoNG Cup be the most impactful edition yet.”
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of JAFAK Initiative, Prince Lanre Fakayode, who applauded everyone present, expressed delight at the progress made so far since the inception of the competition in 2019.
He said, “I am particularly delighted that JAFAK Cup, which was initiated in honour of our departed father, Sir (Prince) Joseph Aranloye Fakayode, to give Kwara youths a platform to showcase their talents, has become the most anticipated grassroots football competition in the state.
“For this year, we are super excited to have RingoNG as our partner, and I can assure you that with this development, things can only get better for all the participants.
“At this juncture, permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate the organiser, Coach Lekan Olarewaju, members of his Committee, participating clubs and all football stakeholders in the state for their unwavering support for JAFAK Cup over the years. Your show of love to our departed father and family will never be taken for granted.”
In his goodwill message, the Director of Football, ABS FC, High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, said, “I am indeed delighted to be part of this gathering yet again. Our father, Sir (Prince) Joseph Fakayode, was a man who made impacts during his lifetime as Kwara United Chairman and a renowned NFF Match Commissioner.
“On this note, I would like to announce that I will be sponsoring an individual award, and my club, ABS FC, will also be adopting at least one outstanding player in the 5th Edition of JAFAK RingoNG Cup.”
On his part, a football enthusiast, Alhaji Muyiwa Yusuf, donated the sum of N100,000 as support for the competition.
He said, “I am delighted to be in your midst as this initiative is indeed commendable, and I would like to support the organisers with a token of N100,000.”
Alhaji Muyiwa, who attended the draws in company of his brother and Abraysports Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf, disclosed that his family may adopt the JAFAK Cup model in remembrance of their departed father.
Meanwhile, to ensure a rancour-free tournament, a seasoned referee and coach, Ekundayo Shamsudeen, enlightened the gathering on the recent laws of the game.
The draws were later conducted by Chief Chukwuemeka, with support from veteran sportscaster, Mr Bayour Issa, Coach Lekan Olarewaju and Coach Bakare Babatunde.
Below are the draws for the 5th Edition of JAFAK RingoNG Cup:
Group A: Kzeez FA, Team of God FC, Okaa Sport FC, Polo Bar FC
Group B: Araba FC, Royal FA, JAD FC, Police Machine FC
Group C: Abraysports FC, Young Talents FC, Real Eagles FC, Waziri FC
Group D: Stafford FC, Petalonix FC, Rhema FC, New Star FC.
Written by Adebayo Olodan
