Kunle Adelabu
The defending champions of the Bolowotan Gold Cup, F.A Victory Football Club, on Sunday, August 15, 2021, successfully defended their title against NTAB FC at a well – attended match played at the Strong Tower Academy Arena, along Obafemi Awolowo, Oke Ota – Ona, Ikorodu.
The tournament was organized by the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA), an affiliate of the Lagos State Football Association, in conjunction with the Gafaar Bolowotan Foundation.
The two finalists, F A Victory FC and NTAB FC, played a 2-2 draw at the end of the duration and went into penalty shootouts which ended 4-3 in favour of the defending champions were the home team.
Both teams have now won the cup twice.
The champions, F.A Victory FC, carted home N300, 000 prize money while the runners – up, NTAB FC received a cheque of N200, 000 prize money.
NTAB FC player, Salami Ismail opened scoring in the 12th minute of the first half while Femi Walker of F.A Victory FC equalised in the 24th minutes.
The enthralling match also saw the defending champions taking the lead in the 28th minute with a goal from their player, Segun Walker while Salami Arisekola leveled the score for NTAB FC in the 33rd minute of the first half.
The match was officiated by Toheeb Agbabiaka while the duo of Segun Oladosu and Saheed Ayeni served as Assistant Referees.
The premiership league referee who was recently badged by FIFA, Yemisi Akintoye was the fourth official.
The third runners-up, Adebax FC, received #100,000 prize money after winning the third – place match 2- 0 against Greater Height FC who also got #50,000 for their efforts.
Addi Hassan and Olawale Raphael scored for Adebax FC in the 12th and 57th minutes respectively.
The third – place match, which served as an appetizer for the final match, was also played at the Strong Tower Academy Arena and was officiated by Olashile Jokogbola while Warith Adekoya and Abdul-Gafaar Andu assisted him from the sidelines.
Sadiq Oladosu served as the fourth official in the match while Kabir Baoku (rtd) was the Match Commissioner.
Mr Akeem Rotimi Erogbogbo, the Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), who was the Chairman at the final match, commended the organizers and sponsor of the competition which he said has been contributing in great ways to football development in lkorodu particularly.
He charged that the annual soccer event should be sustained in the interest of the generality of Ikorodu youths, while also stating that government, both at local and state levels, as well as corporate bodies should support grassroots initiatives like this to collectively develop youths and bring out the best in them.
Others at the closing ceremony and final match of the much loved football tournament were Barr Seyi Akinwunmi, the first Vice President, NFF and Chairman, Lagos Football Association (FA), Prince Jimoh Ogunumuyiwa, a retired referee and patron of the IDFA, Dr Ahmed Odeyemi, a lecture at the National Sports Institute (NIS), Alhaji Saheed Ayeni, FIFA, a referee assessor and Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, the President of the Grassroots Sports Development Forum and Safety Ambassador, Coach Jones Olomu, a football coach, Mr Edema Benson, an ex – international among other notable retired referees, ex – internationals and coaches.
Also, the Director – General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan who is the sponsor of the tournament, led members of the Governing Board of the Sports Commission, including the representatives of the Ikorodu Division, Dr Abiodun Fatai – Abatan, Adeshina Ogundiran,Olanrewaju Saheed and others, to the game.
The 13th edition of the Bolowotan Cup, also called the ‘Ikorodu World Cup’, started on June 13, 2021, with 32 teams.
