A spectacle performance by HB Utility of Ilupeju has earned them the winners’ trophy of the 5th edition of JOF U-13 Cup Football Tournament.

Watched by dignitaries who included Managing Director of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Ltd, Dr Olusegun Olugboyegun and a host of others, it was a ding dong affair between HB Utility and their opponents, Zamadek Football Club from Lagos Island, but the boys from Ilupeju were too much for their foes as they triumphed 3-0 in the final match.

In the third-place match for Latoyam FC from Coker Aguda defeated Orile Iganmu’s Strong Dove FC 1-0.

Dr. Olugboyegun explained that the tournament should give hope to the grassroots players, adding that he was pleased with the football talent shown by the young players. He expects some children to play in the Nigerian national teams in the future.

” I am very happy with what I saw today. The players participating in this tournament are not only 13 years old, but some are also 10 years old, and I understand that the Captain of HB Utility is a 9-year-old. The boys we saw today were also promising, so they are young with promising future.

” Now that this tournament is over this year, we will select some of those who will join the JOF All-Stars team. Since they will be over the age of 13, 14 and 15 at that time, they will spend the next few months in camp playing with their age groups before the team will be disbanded. While in the camp, we will expose them to other things outside the pitch, teach them to make them believe that their talents can see them through in life,” Olugboyegun said.

The champions returned home with trophies, gift bags and N750,000, while the first runners won N500,000, the second and third runners won N350,000 and N250,000 respectively.

The Most Valuable Player of the tournament was Ayomide Atiga from HB Utility team, the best scorer was Agbolade Abdullahi from Zamadek Boys team, and the best goalkeeper of the tournament was Steve Oyerinde from HB Utility team.

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF, multiple African Men’s Singles Badminton Champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Opeyori who is a two time African Games Champion made history by becoming the first Nigerian badminton player to make it to the Olympics back to back (2020 and 2024).

Opeyori dominated Africa in the men’s singles from 2019 till date winning four African Championship titles and two African Games titles.

An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) told newsmen on Saturday that Anuoluwapo Opeyori has broken the jinx in Nigeria badminton by making it to the Olympic Games in Paris.

Orbih said Opeyori’s qualification shows that the current leadership of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) target of producing world class players is beginning to manifest.

He revealed that BFN will leave no stone unturned in supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young players in making podium finishes.

Orbih said, “History has been made in badminton as Anuoluwapo Opeyori has secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the release made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

“I am excited and full of joy because Anuoluwapo Opeyori is the first Nigerian badminton player to feature in the men’s singles at the Olympic Games and also the first Nigerian to attend two Olympics and back to back.

“Three years ago, it was Dorcas Adesokan in the women’s singles and Opeyori with his partner Godwin Olofua in the men’s doubles that made it to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Today, Anuoluwapo Opeyori will represent Nigeria in the men’s singles; the leadership of BFN and Nigeria are proud of him”.

Orbih charged Anuoluwapo Opeyori not to relent but continue to train and attain top form ahead of the Olympic Games.

He said, “I want to urge Anuoluwapo Opeyori to continue training hard for the Games; we are going to ensure he attends training tours before the Olympic Games”.

The third edition of Asisat Oshoala Foundation School Project for Girl-child in Nigeria in conjunction with the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu’s New Era Foundation was held on Friday at Oko Baba Youth Centre, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

It was thrills and frills as the participants from no fewer than six schools in and around Ebute Metta were taking up on some rudiments and basics of the round leather game by the facilitators of the event proudly supported by American sportswear company, Nike, Germany’s Women Win and Emzor Pharmaceuticals

The school project, aims at empowering the next generation of girl-child, is a pet project of African Woman Footballer of the Year award winner, Asisat Oshoala supported by the Nigerian First Lady. At Asisat Oshoala Foundation and New Era Foundation where all-round education and sports remain priority.

Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Lagos State, Agboola Dabiri, who was a guest at the event on Friday applauded the initiative. He said that Oshoala, former captain of the Super Falcons, has done so much to impact Nigerian girls to find their rhythm being perfected in both football and education.

Some of the girls who participated at the third edition of the school project described event as a veritable platform to discover their gift of playing football and their experience remains memorable.

Ojediran Fathia thanked the First Lady, Mrs Tinubu and Oshoala for the opportunity given to her and her colleagues to be part of the school project.

“It’s amazing getting myself playing football here and mixing with other girls. I must confess, I am so excited,” Ojediran said.

To Stephanie Happiness, it was a lifetime opportunity to be part of the exciting event anchored by Asisat Oshoala who she looks up to as a role model and a big sister.

The train of Asisat Oshoala Foundation School Project has been moving round the local governments and communities in Lagos State which include Agege, Ajegunle, Isolo, Ikorodu, Mushin, Ajah, Surulere and Yaba. It is expected to go round other 30 local government areas in subsequent editions.