Francis Ajuonuma

It was football at its best at the maiden edition of Abisco Cup Football Tournament held at the weekend at the Abesan Youth Centre, Lagos.

The two finalists, Wilson International FC and Abisco Boys gave fans, including the chairman of  Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Olabisi Adebajo, and other dignitaries who were at the sports complex to watch the epic final so much to cheer with the high quality of football they put on display in the entire regulation time of the five-aside encounter which ended scoreless.

In the ensuing penalty kicks, Wilson International FC had the upper hand,  scoring three against two scored by Abisco Boys to lift the trophy and the star prize of N300, 000. The runners-up, Abisco Boys got N200,000 for their effort, while, African Youths received N100,000 for beating Fortune FC in the losers’ final. A total of 32 teams featured in the grassroots football championship.

Commending the players for their conduct and the high quality of football they exhibited in the championship, the sole sponsor, Princess Olabisi Adebajo said she is driven by the desire to help the  Nigerian youth develop their football talents and excel to the top of their career, promising to make the championship an annual event.

“A commitment to unique value of the football game through re-structured mindset of youth for optimum outcome by creating employment opportunities vis-a-vis to expand the benefit that football is bigger than what we think.

“You can get to the top in life as a football player, so come let’s journey together for a better tomorrow as Abisco Football Tournament can always be your drive to the top,” she said.

“And I want to assure everyone present here that this tournament will be played annually and we’ll also add the female competition to it,” Princess Adebajo added.

Also in his remarks, the national chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Reverend Sam Ikpea acknowledged Princess Adebajo for supporting sports development in the country.

“It’s a very exciting final and this is what we have been talking about; grassroots football remains the future of Nigerian football.

“We thank God that Abisco has been able to come out to identify with us and this is what Nigerians are clamouring for. We should go back to our grassroots to discover talents and try to nourish them to a higher level.

“I want to advise that every other local government in Nigeria should take a cue from the chairperson of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Princess Olabisi Adebajo in supporting sports development in the country,” he said.