By; AYO OJEDOKUN Lagos
Team representing host city, Ilaji on Saturday, emerged winners of the maiden YSFON/Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts U-16 boys championship.
In an entertaining final decided at Ilaji Stadium, the team recorded a 3-1 victory over Ekiti State to be crowned champions of the weeklong competition just as Oyo defeated Kwara by 2-1 to emerge the third best team of the competition.
Speaking while presenting trophies and medals to the teams, sponsor of the tournament, Engr. Dotun Sanusi who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort expressed happiness that the competition was hitch free and the players competed in a friendly environment urging them to continue to imbibe the spirit of fair play.
According to Sanusi who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer of the Hotel, Prince Adesina Araoye, his organisation will continue to partner YSFON in grassroots sports development just as he commended the body for it’s leadership position in talent discovery in the country. ” I’m happy that the competition lived up to expectation and the players competed in a friendly environment and displayed some good football artistry that got the attention of scouts.
“My promise is that we will continue to partner with YSFON to develop players at the grassroots and I want to assure you that the next edition will be more glamorous”.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony, National President of YSFON, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna who was represented by the Secretary General Patrick Okpavuerhe, Engr. Sanusi deserves commendation for his sponsorship of the tournament even as he appealed to other well meaning Nigerians to emulate him and give youths opportunity to exhibit their talents.
The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau was represented at the finals by the Federation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ademola Olajire.
Also present, was Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal H.B. Abubakar, represented by commodore, George Akeyimika, Commander Nigeria Air Force Station, Ibadan, to mention but a few.
