By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
Organisers of the forthcoming Above 50 Mini Olympics said thaf they’re planning to organise a patrons night during the draws to herald the second edition of the championship.
Above 50 Mini-Olympics, a brain child of Ambassador Edward Olutoke, the President of Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is a championship put together for retired international and national team players and athletes for them to participate in sports, recreate, interact and share business ideas.
The successes recorded in the maiden edition which featured only football led to the incorporation of other games like table tennis, boxing, Ayo Olopon and other sports in this year’s edition.
Already, 16 Above 50 Football teams have registered for the competition while athletes have also registered to be part of other sports.
Speaking on the plans to make this year’s edition a memorable one, President of the tournament, Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke noted that on the Patrons night, the game’s ambassadors will also be unveiled just as he promised that there will be no dull moment once the championship kicks off in the second week of October.
” The above 50 Mini-Olympics is the first of it’s kind not only in Nigeria but other parts of the world. You know Nigeria is always leading others and that’s why we’re expanding it and it’s no longer football alone. We’re going to have boxing, table tennis, athletics, ayo Olopon and other sports just to keep people busy and fit.
“I hope you still remember the vision of Above 50. It’s for us to get people going in life physically, economically and mentally. So, at no point in time should we see people die before they die.
” People should realize that life is just starting at 50 and you should not allow people to box you in a corner by saying you’re too old or that you can no longer take sugar or some food because of your age.
According to Olutoke, many people become so much afraid of their age that in some offices, you see people having real age and official age noting that the plan of the tournament is to make old age a thing of joy and something people would like to be part of.
He posited that during the Patrons night, people who are 50 and a over will be invited not minding whether they like football or sports with a declaration that it’s going to be a bang.
Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Games, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo explained that finishing touches are being put in place to ensure a seamless championship.
He advised club sides yet to submit their forms to do so immediately to avoid being disqualified from the Games even as he reminded them that NIN will be used to determine the true ages of participants.
