SEGUN ODEGBAMI Lauds Oyo Govt As Academicals Football Ends In Ibadan

Oyo State Under-17 team emerged over the weekend winner of the maiden edition of Nigeria Academicals Football Competition after defeating Bauchi State 1-0 in the final match played at the main-bowl of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The only goal that produced the pioneer champion came in the 70th minute of theexciting match via a penalty kick which was converted by Soliu Abdullahi after a Bauchi defender handled the ball in the box.

Oyo State boys by this feat have won for themselves a slot to represent Nigeria at the World Academicals Football Championship slated for North Carolina in United State of America (USA) come next month.

While presenting the ticket to this effect to the team President of Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) lauded the recent efforts of Oyo State Government especially in the area of youth’s capacity building and sports development.

The ex-international however, urged other states especially in the southwest which he described as the hub of Sporting excellence in the past to emulate the good gesture of Governor Abiola Ajimobi towards sports and revive the sector.

In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Dapo Lam Adesina gives glory to Almighty God for successful hosting of the tournament with a promise that the State government will not rest on its oars in bringing development to all sphere of life in the state.

The commissioner also announced scholarship package by a partner to his ministry on Soccer development, FRENAGE-Progression International Soccer Academy whose foreign technical head, Latif Alnasaar shortlisted 3 outstanding players after watching the final match for a full scholarship in the Academy.

Various awards were given to outstanding players and personalities by NASCOM, among the recipients of the NASCOM’s Merit Award are the Minister of Sports and Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdhulai, the Director General of NSC, Patrick Ekeji, the Zonal Coordinator of zone 1 of NSC Steve Olarinoye, Director, Pepsi Football Academy,  Chief Kasimawo Laloko.

Kaduna State clinched the third spot in the soccer tourney after defeating Edo State in the third placed match decided earlier in the day via penalty shootout.

Among football enthusiast that witnessed the colorful soccer final are Bar. Dudu Orumen, Chief kashimawo Laloko, Coach Jossy Lad, Dr. Felix Owolabi, Mutiu Adepoju, Dimeji Lawal, counsel to late Rashidi Yekini, Bar. Jibril Mohammed, Zion Ogunfeyinmi and other top football personalities.

Akanbi Agiri