A football enthusiast, Akinlorin Akinola has commended the finalists for their impressive performance at the just concluded Prince Gas Cup football tournament held on Saturday at the Sansan playground Igando, Alimosho.
King Best FC defeated Bucknor FC 4-2 on penalty shootout after barren draw at the regulation time to emerge as champions.
Akinola who was among the invited guests to witness the closing ceremony told our correspondent that the two finalists lived up to expectations in terms of performance and congratulated the champions for the job well done.
“It was a good outing for both teams.The two teams gave a good account of themselves but a winner was decided through penalty shootout.
“I also congratulate the organisers for making this year’s edition a memorable one.This tournament has really brought young people together and keep them busy in order to avoid any form of social vices that can affect their lives and community at large.If we can see something like this in a regular basis, the better for our youths and societies in Alimosho,” he said.
Akinola said Alimosho has talented footballers but noted that there are no well structured football academies that can nurture the young players to stardom.
He, however, charged the football coaches to come together and set up a proper football academy that football stakeholders would be proud of in Alimosho local government.
“With the array of stars I saw here in today’s final, how I wish we have proper academy that can nurture these young players to stardom.
“This is the time coaches in Alimosho and other football stakeholders to come together and find a way to set up a well structured football academy where talents would be harnessed,mentored and nurtured,” he said.
Match coordinator, Sulaiman Gbadamosi expressed gratitude to God for the success of the competition and also thanked his sponsors for their contribution since the competition kicked off a month ago.
During the award presentation, outstanding players were given gift items and certificates for their remarkable performance.
King Best received a trophy with the sum of N300,000, while Bucknor pocketed N150,000 as a runner up.
In the U-15 category final played earlier, Seedorf defeated Sharp Strikers 8-7 on penalties after one goal apiece at the regulation time.
Seedorf FC also received a trophy with the sum of N150,000, while the runner up went home with the sum of N100,000.
