Kunle Adelabu
It was a rousing ovation for Akintoye Yemisi Eunice who became a FIFA badge referee earlier this year, as sports and football families, particularly in Ikorodu and Lagos State, honoured her in Ikorodu on Sunday, August 15, 2021.
She was unveiled as an ambassador of Ikorodu for her exploits as a referee who has brought honour and pride to the Ikorodu (Football) Referees Society and for joining the elite club of FIFA badge referees.
Akintoye, who is now officiating in the Nigerian Premiership League, has been away in Cote d’Ivoire for the maiden edition of the CAF Women Championship WAFU B qualifiers and recently returned to the country.
She was honoured during the final match of the Bolowotan Gold Cup between F.A Victory FC and NTAB FC played at the Strong Tower Academy Arena on Sunday (yesterday).
The female arbiter is a member of the Ikorodu (Football) Referees Society and Lagos State Referee Council.
She participated in the FIFA Listing exercise which involved Medical and Physical Fitness Tests, at the National Stadium, Abuja, November last year.
Players of the two teams and match officials, including Dr Odeyemi, a lecturer at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) who was the Match Commissioner, formed a guard of honour for the dutiful referee while she stepped into the field after which the Director – General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan, had a firm handshake and commended her.
She was presented to guests on the high table among whom were members of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), coaches, ex – internationals, retired referees and sports administrators by Alhaji Luqman Sonibare, the Chairman of the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA).
Akintoye served as the fourth official during the final match.
She is joining Mr Jelili Ogunmuyiwa who is still active and Mr Saheed Ayeni, a retired referee and now Referee Assessor, as three referees that have achieved such feat in Ikorodu Division.
The FIFA rated referee was born in 1995 and had a Diploma in Human Kinetic and Health Education from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, and now a final year student of Human Kinetic and Health Education in the same University.
She obtained her Grade One certificate in refereeing in 2018 and had handled Nationwide League and Nigeria Women Professional League matches.
Akintoye also officiated the Lagos State FA Women Cup final and was part of the 2020 FIFA MA Course.
She was the Best Referee in Ikorodu Society in 2019.
