The maiden edition of the JKF youth football competition for U15 boys and girls in Ekiti State came to an end Thursday, December 26, 2019, amidst lots of fun, glitz and glamour at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
The finals of the competition which was witnessed by a large crowd of football lovers, including top politicians, captains of industry and people from different walks of life, saw Gbonyin LG and FC Phoenix emerging champions of the competition, after weeks of gruelling, but exciting football matches.
In the final of the female category, FC Phoenix left no one in doubt about their intentions to win the cup, as they defeated Fatoba Queens 2-0 courtesy of goals by Aminat Folorunsho and Selimat Razak.
In the male category, three quick-fire goals in the first half of the encounter by Damilola Adeyeye and Ezekiel Francis, gave Gbonyin LG the victory over favourites Ado LG to become kings in the boy’s category.
Speaking with the media after the matches, and obviously elated Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege, expressed gratitude to God for a successful competition. He also attributed the success to the supports received from Ekiti State government led by Dr John Kayode Fayemi and the state agencies.
Olanlege enthused greatly about the future of football in the state, which he hinged on the continued success of the JKF youth football competition. He maintained that the state FA would not relent in its efforts to build a lasting and sustainable legacy of football culture for the benefits of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
The dignitaries that witnessed the historic moments of football in the state, included Ekiti State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Pastor Michael Awopetu, Barrister Peter Owolabi, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, who also donated trophies and medals for the competition.
Present also were Hon. Olatunji Joseph, Chairman, Sports Committee, Ekiti State House of Assembly and other parliamentarians. Others include Dejio, General Manager of Ekiti State Sports Council.
Meanwhile, apart from the trophies and prizes won by the winners, individual honours went to Damilola Adeyeye of Gbonyin LG who went home with the golden boot as top scorer in the male category with 5 goals; Dotun Aladejana won the MVP award, as Efon LG claimed the fair play trophy.
In the female category, Salem City Queens won the fair play award. And with Toyin Ayodele of Salem City Queens claiming the golden boot, just as Faith Agana and Aminat Folorunsho of FC Phoenix, won the best goalkeeper and MVP awards respectively.
