The 12th Kidsport Charity Cup, christened World Cup edition, ended at the weekend amid pomp at the Sports Centre of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos with participating teams and guests having fun and exciting moments.
This year’s tournament had series of events packed full for the one day championship that saw six orphanages, three academies, one school and three organisations featuring young footballers to fight for honours.
Teams from the orphanages, SOS Isolo, Citadel of Grace (11th edition reigning champions), SOS Owu and Project Friendship Initiative were outstanding as they played to the semi-final stage.
After a thrilling 1-1 draw that went to penalty shootout, SOS Owu emerged champions of this year’s tournament winning the penalties 4-2, beating the reigning champions Citadel of Grace who settled for the second place, SOS Isolo won the third position.
In the academy and school’s category, FC Ablaze beat Mavlon FA 4-2 penalties. The Ablaze goalkeeper Akinola Emmanuel was spectacular saving two of the Mavlon’s spot kicks. Government College Lagos picked the third place in that category.
Basking in the euphoria of watching good football artistry displayed and the performance by the teams from these homes and orphanages, the Managing Director of the sponsor company, Kingmakers,, Gossy Ukanwoke instructed an upward review of the earlier planned prize monies of 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions of N150,000, N100,000 and N75,000 respective to the new prizes giving to the team.
SOS Owu, winners of the orphanages went home with a cash prize of N500,000, Citadel of Grace got N300,000 for second place and SOS Isolo received N200,000 for winning the third position courtesy of the major sponsor, Kingmakers.
The winners in the academies and school category got trophies and medals.
The novelty match between The Lemonade network and Kidsports All Stars team, which was made up of veteran coaches, parents of Kidsport club and celebrities ended up 1-1 tie.
The second novelty match Kingmakers FC X Kidsport vs Nigeria Info X FC Ablaze ended 1-0 in favor of the Kingmakers and Kidsport mixed team.
The Managing Director of Kingmakers, Gossy Ukanwoke expressed delight at the performance of the players, the talent displayed by the children from the orphanages, school and the academies.
He noted that the spirit behind the staging of the Kidsport Charity Cup is a worthy cause, adding that Kingmakers are proud to be the sponsors of this year’s edition.
A few players from some of the teams were picked by scout Yemi Ogunlaja. They have been invited to join Ojodu Football Club, a NLO football club.
The event was broadcast live for international scouts to watch. These scouts have requested to get the credentials of some of the promising players from this year’s tournament.
