G Innovation, Young Talents Win Bishop Mike Okonkwo Football Tournament

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Bishop Mike Okonkwo

By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos

Football fans within Lagos and its environs were last weekend, treated to the best of football artistry during the final of  the season 18 of the annual  Bishop Mike Okonkwo Football Competition.

The final which was played at the Mini ystadium of Yaba College of Technology, saw the finalists entertaining the crowd with good football  display which attracted cheers from the fans.

In the male final, G. Innovation defeated hard fighting Aux Exclusive Media by 4-3 via penalties after their game ended 1-1 at full time.

 It was also another penalty shootout that determined the winners of the female category with  defending champions, Young Talents 99 FC recording a 4-2 victory over Lake Side FC who came from 2-0 down in the first half to level the game in the second half and dragged it into penalties.

Presenting trophies and medals to the teams, sponsor of the tournament and presiding Bishop of  The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, commended the players for displaying the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the duration of the tournament. 

He noted that the grassroots football tournament has lived up to expectation promising  that he will continue to sponsor it because it has helped a lot of youths discover their talent.

He was also full of praises for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for organising a hitch free  tournament.

“I’m highly impressed with what I saw today and the football artistry displayed by the various teams which is an indication that the tournament has grown and we’ll continue to sponsor it as it has not only helped the youths exhibit their talents but has also served as vehicle of empowerment to them.

“Kudos must also go the LOC for putting up a world class tournament and I hope that next year’s edition will be more glamorous”, noted the man of God.

Chairman of the LOC, Deacon Malachy Ndubuzor expressed happiness that the tournament which was put on hold because of COVID-19  Pandemic has bounced back, just as he challenged Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), League Management Committee (LMC) and the various national team coaches to beam their searchlight on the championship and discover budding talents that will represent the country in the round leather game.

” It’s a thing of joy that we  had another successful tournament which is coming after the Pandemic. I am particularly happy that all the teams played according to the rules of the game and I say a big thank you to Bishop Mike Okonkwo for using the tournament to empower the youth.

” I also want to use this opportunity to  once more call on football administrators and various national team coaches  in the country to compliment our effort by taking interest in the tournament because it has produced and continue to produce quality players”, he  concluded.

Meanwhile, President of G. Innovation FC, winners of the tournament, Gozie Edwin Nwagwu has said that his team won the competition through hard work and dedication, positing that his plan for the team is to see many of his players lacing their boots in most of the top clubs in Europe.

He noted that many tournaments have been  lined up for the team even as he assured that very soon, the club will be a force to be reckoned with nationally.

Edwin commended Bishop Mike Okonkwo for his consistency in sponsoring the championship and charged other religious leaders to emulate him and impact positively on the youths.

Highlight of the finals was a novelty match between TREM Pastors and Lagos referees council which the later won by 2-0.

At the end of the entertaining final, medals and trophies where presented to deserving teams.

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