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…Hon. Babawale Bisiriyu Alogba, Other community leaders honoured for event support
The inaugural Iworiwo Alasho Ogba AllStars Football Competition concluded successfully on Tuesday, October 1st, with Oluwole AllStars from Ogba claiming the title.
The annual 6-aside tournament, open to players aged 40 and above, featured 16 teams from various parts of Lagos State. The participating teams included Oluwole AllStars of Ogba, Iworiwo AllStars, Alasho AllStars, Ikotun AllStars of Ikotun, Ipakodo AllStars of Ikorodu, Campos Allstars of Lagos Island, Greenland FC, Oregun Allstars of Ikeja, Abule Eko AllStars of Ikorodu, Mature Mind FC, Maryland AllStars, Brown FC, Mageeco FC of Agege, Jalisco Allstars of Oshodi, Akinola AllStars of Aboru, and Evans square AllStars of Ebute Metta.
The event was held at Oluwole Open Field, Ogba, and included a health screening for all participants.
In addition to the football matches, the tournament featured traditional performances such as the Eyo Adimu Orisa display and the Agere.
After a series of knockout rounds, Oluwole AllStars defeated Akinola AllStars in the final to secure the championship.
Several community leaders and dignitaries were honored for their support of the event, including Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, Hon. David Oluwasegun Odumbaku, Hon. Babawale Bisiriyu Alogba and various local chiefs.
The Iworiwo Alasho Ogba AllStars Football Competition is a popular event in the community, providing a platform for older adults to stay active and engage in friendly competition.
One of the organizers, Babalola Fowler, expressed gratitude to the organizing committee and the community for their support. He acknowledged the importance of everyone and thanked them for making the 1-day football tourney possible.
Mr. Ipaye, the president and chairman of Iworiwo Alasho, Ogba, emphasized the importance of grassroots football development in Nigeria. He recalled the flourishing grassroots football associations and academies of the past that nurtured talented young players for the national team. Ipaye called upon sports management authorities in Nigeria to revive grassroots competitions to foster talent development at a young age.
While acknowledging the current challenges in the country, Ipaye expressed optimism in the government’s reforms and assured that the situation would improve. He extended sincere gratitude to the members of Iworiwo Alasho Ogba for their contributions in making the maiden edition of the All-Stars Football competition a reality. Ipaye emphasized the organization’s commitment to learning from the current edition and improving future events. With 16 teams participating in the 1-day football tourney, the competition aimed to contribute to the development and promotion of football in the community.
Hon. Babawale Alogba emphasized the event’s significance in fostering unity among people from various communities in Lagos State. He highlighted the diverse participation from Ikorodu, Ogba, Ikotun, Lagos Island, Agege, Ojota, Ikeja, and other areas. Alogba acknowledged the current tension in the country but expressed optimism in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ability to address the situation and bring happiness to all.
The tournament aimed to encourage and inspire the youth to pursue their dreams and avoid despair. Alogba emphasized the opportunities available and highlighted the All-Stars football club as a testament to the recognition and success that can be achieved with dedication and perseverance. He expressed hope that the event would motivate young people to strive for excellence and achieve their goals.
Alogba concluded by thanking everyone for their participation and expressed his commitment to expanding the tournament in the future to further promote unity and bonding through football. He emphasized the importance of using football as a platform to create a strong sense of community and togetherness.
