An amazing revelation has been made by Abeeb Abdulquadri, full-time cash officer, who played in the football event of this year’s Bankers Games, as he is thinking of embarking on a professional career abroad.
This is the story of Abeeb Abdulquadri, a staff member in the Sagamu, Ogun State branch of Access Bank, who scored the goal that gave them victory over Stambic Bank and ensured they won bronze on Saturday.
Sports247.ng reports that Abdulquadri’s goal meant the team coached by Shola Raji improved from their fourth place finish of 2023, and their camp was agog with songs of celebration into the early hours of Sunday.
Abdulquadri admitted that his goal was epochal in determining the difference between victory and defeat for Access Bank’s team, but he chose to give most of the credit to their fans for making it possible.
Abdulquadri stated in a chat with sports247.ng afterwards, “The winning feat and bronze medals with it are for the fans.
“Those guys really helped us a lot by coming around from their various bases to cheer us up.
“So, this achievement, they really deserve it. I am also happy for my colleagues and fans that we were able to give them the victory that they deserve.”
Abdulquadri then spoke about an emotional angle behind his goal, saying he had a strong feeling before entering the match that he would score for his team.
“I always had the belief that I would score,” the highly enthusiastic and youthful banker recounted.
“One of my teammates, Victor, keeps on telling me ‘Always believe in yourself.’
“He always tells me he believes that I can deliver our team. So, when the opportunity came, I made sure that I used it well.
“To God be the glory, I was able to meet up with the expectation.
“It was a befitting cap to all our hard work and efforts. We got the result we needed in this match, and I am very happy.”
He then spoke about his personal satisfaction from the third place match and the competition as a whole, saying it was a useful platform to boost bonding, relaxation and recreation among ever-busy bank workers.
He added, “I feel so grateful. I also have to say this competition gave me a month that became one of the best in my journey through life.
“Seeing a lot of colleagues here jubilating, celebrating with their teammates really left me with a better view about the bankers’ community.
“I now see that we have love, passion and support among every staff.
“Apart from working 9am to 5pm every day, we can still have these free moments for ourselves, to enjoy some time together outside work.”
Abdulquadri then took a look into the future, as he weighed possibilities of the competition getting an expansion and some of its best players moving on with football contracts overseas.
“I believe that, by next year, we expect more banks … like GTB, Polaris, Fidelity, and others … will come to make this competition more competitive.
“That way, more talents will be able to show themselves, and this can be a pathway for those of us who still want to go for football careers,” Abdulquadri enthused.
