Ajara U-17 Football Final: Organisers Appreciate Partners, Sponsors, Key Stakeholders As An-Nur Model College Lifts Trophy

Ajara U-17 Football Final: Organisers Appreciate Partners, Sponsors, Key Stakeholders As An-Nur Model College Lifts Trophy 

An-Nur Model College were crowned champions of the third edition of Ajara U-17 Football Competition after defeating bitter rivals Salvation Army Grammar School through penalties following a goal a piece after regulation time.

Football enthusiasts and schools thronged enmass the venue of the event, filled with excitement and vigor, etched with Ajara Humanitarian loving symbols. Osogbo Township Stadium which played host to the memorable grand finale truly showcased the unwavering commitments of Ajara Humanitarian Foundation's resilience in providing the atmosphere of success to young lads in Osun State.

In a thrilling and entertaining final, it was a brisk game from the very start, both teams played with vigour and enthusiasm. Football fans didn't stop echoing their sentiments for their preferred team as the two sides played with caution at the rear. The brilliant moment finally came as Sulaimon Roqeeb broke the deadlock sending An-Nur fans to wild jubilation.

Salvation Army would later restored parity with class through pacy forward, Rasaq Oreoluwa. The balance officiated game would later ended 1-1 as Ilobu based side earned their deserved victory through lottery of penalties.

The Executive Director of Ajara Humanitarian Foundation, Alhaji Dr. Bayo Jimoh re-echoed the mission statements of the foundation, which was set up to create a worthwhile future for young Nigerians, he particularly was full of praise to legendary and visionary Pillar of the Foundation, Dr. Lanre Jimoh. 

The elated Giwa Adini of Osogbo land lauded the commitments and enthusiasm of technical partners, Ilaji Football Club and other notable sponsors like, Mr Gbenga Agboola, CEO Flutterwave Ltd., Seyi Akinwale, Founder, Special Foundation,  Mr Ademola Balogun, Chairman of Dembal Generators and Dr Adegboyega Oduola.

Other eminent guests at the grand finale include, Hon. Olagunju Moshood Olalekan, commissioner for youth affairs, Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, Osun State Football Associations, Osun State Sports Council, School Principals, Coaches, Referees, Sports Writers amongst others. 

Champions, An-Nur Model College Ilobu received cash price of One Million Naira with coveted trophy, jersey and balls while second place Salvation Army took the cash price of five hundred thousand naira with trophy, jerseys and ball, third place, Sodeeq Adeleke smiled home with three hundred and fifty thousand naira in addition to branded balls, customised jerseys and education materials. 

The foundation extended hand of fellowship to all participating schools with the distribution of education materials and branded balls. An-Nur Model College also scooped individual honors like, Highest Goal Scorer (Azeez Mustapha), Most Valuable Player (Oladapo Idris), Best Goalkeeper (Ibrahim Fawaz), Best Coach (Raji Idowu) as Best Behaved Team goes to Prime College Osogbo.

Refreshing Partnership: Seven-Up Bottling Company Partners Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024.

 

"Seven-Up Bottling Company Quenches Thirst For Excellence At Osun Intercollegiate Games.

In a move that underscores its commitment to supporting youth, sports, and community development, Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC), one of Africa's leading beverage manufacturers, has been unveiled as the official Beverage Partner for the 2024 Osun Intercollegiate Games. The landmark partnership was sealed on days ago, following a formal agreement with Ace Sports Global Management Limited, organizers of Nigeria's biggest collegiate sports festival.

The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from both parties. Speaking on the partnership, Olayiwola Olafiranye, Team Lead at Ace Sports Global Management Limited, expressed confidence in Seven-Up Bottling Company’s ability to enhance the games' overall experience.

“This partnership is a significant step forward for the Osun Intercollegiate Games. Seven-Up’s reputation for excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision for the event. Their support will go a long way in ensuring a smooth, memorable competition for all participants,” Olafiranye noted.

Echoing this sentiment, SBC’s General Manager, Mr. Julien Kamal, highlighted the synergy between the company’s mission and the essence of collegiate sports.

“We are fueled by the need to ‘refresh and inspire a youthful lifestyle.’ At Seven-Up Bottling Company, our core values, hard work, determination, integrity, honesty, sustainability, fun, and refreshment, guide everything we do. This is why we champion platforms like the Osun Intercollegiate Games, which celebrate youth, energy, and the spirit of competition,” Kamal said.

With a diverse portfolio that includes household names like Pepsi, 7Up, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, and Teem, Seven-Up Bottling Company has long been a staple in Nigerian households. Their range of sugar-sweetened and sugar-free beverages caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making them a perfect fit for a dynamic, inclusive event like the Osun Intercollegiate Games.

Through this partnership, SBC will ensure that athletes, officials, and spectators stay refreshed and energized throughout the competition. The company’s active presence at the games will also feature brand activations, giveaways, and a vibrant refreshment zone.

The Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024 will kick off on Wednesday, November 20th, at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Sports Complex. The opening day promises an exciting lineup of events, including athletics preliminaries and two high-stakes football matches: OAU versus Oduduwa University, and Kings University against Oscotech.

The competition will bring together student-athletes from institutions across Osun State, fostering camaraderie, sportsmanship, and a competitive spirit. With Seven-Up Bottling Company on board, the 2024 edition is poised to set new benchmarks for collegiate sports in Nigeria.

Army Haunting For Stubborn An-Nur Warriors In Ajara U-17 Football Final

 

Army Haunting For Stubborn An-Nur Warriors In Ajara U-17 Football Final

Ajara U-17 Football Final: Salvation Army, An-Nur College Clash In Epic Final 

Excitement builds as Osogbo Township Stadium will come alive once more as third edition of Ajara U-17 Football Final draws football experts, ex internationals, football administrators, football investors, club owners, football enthusiasts, scouts, education managers, Sports Writers and manymore.

Anticipating the epic final with palpable enthusiasm and sporting ambience, it's dubbed clash of 'titans' as Salvation Army Grammar School ambushing ambitious and youthful An-Nur Model College, come Wednesday, 20th November 2024.

While navigating the treacherous path towards competition's summit, the two sides have shown resilience, grit and dominance, high flying An-Nur dislodged St. Charles (4-0) while Salvation Army walloped Sodeeq Adeleke (5-1) in the semi finals.

According to the Executive Director of the foundation, Alhaji Dr. Bayo Jimoh who exemplifies strength and resilience all along this journey, AHF is committed to empowering young people by teaching them valuable skills that will allow them to earn a living and lift their families out of poverty. A more prosperous society is the goal using football as flagship of the vision to inspire, unite and transform society.

"The essence of this project is to create an atmosphere to identify raw talents with skills that are trainable, those that will grow to become professional that Nigeria dearly need.

"We know the importance of football as the biggest enterprise in the world, a strong unifying factor for every country, any country not strong in the area of football would definitely not be on the map. Ageing players will retire one day, that's why foundation like ours have chosen to create a platform for training talented kids to join the trade.

"We express our profound appreciation to Ilaji FC our co-partner for willingly coming on board to further train scouted players, in this championship. Last year, we sponsored 22 players and four of them are still training there, in the next few months, more players will find themselves in the promise land, we are achieving the objectives particularly with the technical support being provided by Ilaji FC."

Alhaji Bayo Jimoh reiterated that, the family believes in Nigeria, that's why the arrow head of the foundation, Dr. Lanre Jimoh, a medical practitioner in the States, continues to shoulder the responsibility of kitting players with world class kits and sending customised football with a lot of funds.

 "With same shared vision, Ilaji FC also donates sports equipmens to the project aside the technical support being provided. Also, the project has catched the glimpse of reputable friends and individuals who have joined the lists of donors."

 Conclusively, Dr. Bayo Jimoh noted that, government alone can't do it, while there's a level of partnership the government should embrace from NGOs, corporate entities and individuals "in the days of academicals, potentials were drawn across schools and they made name for themselves, we have requested officially from state government, the need to get a parcel of land for development of standard football facilities, we know government can't manage this, that's why they need private partners like ours, we shall continue engaging them." Dr. Adebayo Jimoh, a successful businessman, vastly exposed, Giwa Adini of Osogbo land stated.

The stage is set, exciting and juicy packages are on the horizon as the finalists battle for coveted trophy and cash price of One Million Naira, the second and third place schools will for the first time lift prestigious trophies and will get five hundred thousand naira and three hundred and fifty thousand naira respectively in addition to branded balls, customised jerseys and thousands of exercise books to be shared amongst the participating schools.

The athletes are ready, Ajara Humanitarian Foundation is set to power the mother of all battle with long list of dignitaries drawn from government and reputable individuals. Expectedly, Hon. Olagunju Moshood Olalekan who is the commissioner for youth affairs is the special guest while Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon is the chairman of the day. Co sponsors, Mr Gbenga Agboola, CEO Flutterwave Ltd., Seyi Akinwale, Founder, Special Foundation,  Mr Ademola Balogun, Chairman of Dembal Generators and Dr Adegboyega Oduola will also be at the venue of grand finale.

The custodian of football, Osun FA, Sports Council GM Mr, Rotimi Dunmoye, friends of Ajara, Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Football Communities from Osun State University and Osun State Polytechnic lree, Dr. Felix Owolabi MON., Alh. Muftau Owolabi and many more would light up the arena. Meanwhile, St. Charles Grammar School will tackle Sodiq Adeleke lslamic College in third place before the epic final battle by 2pm.

Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024 Secures BetWGB As Official Partner.

 

BetWGB Joins the Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024 as Official Bet Partner.

In a groundbreaking partnership poised to elevate the Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024, Winners Golden Bet Limited (BetWGB) has been unveiled as the official betting partner for this year’s event. The announcement, made on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of intercollegiate sports in Nigeria.

The collaboration, sealed with Ace Sports Global Management Limited, organizers of the prestigious games, signals a fusion of corporate support and youth athleticism. 

The partnership is expected to enhance the quality and reach of the competition, which has long been a platform for discovering and nurturing talent across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. 

Speaking on the partnership, Olayinka Olawole, Chief Operating Officer at Ace Sports Global Management Limited, expressed optimism about the impact of BetWGB’s involvement.

“This partnership will go a long way in ensuring a smooth and memorable competition. Together, we aim to craft enduring memories for student fans, celebrate football prowess, and transform the Osun Intercollegiate Games into an indelible experience for everyone involved. Olawole stated.

Mrs. Patricia Popoola, Head of Marketing at Winners Golden Group, reiterated the company’s commitment to youth development through sports.

“At Winners Golden Bet, we believe that education and sports are two sides of the same coin. We are thrilled to support an initiative that empowers young athletes to excel both on the field and in their academic pursuits. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and impactful partnership,” Popoola remarked.

As part of its involvement, BetWGB will distribute branded souvenirs, creating an atmosphere of excitement and engagement at the various competition venues. The organization’s presence is expected to boost spectator turnout and add a touch of flair to the games.

The Osun Intercollegiate Games will feature six highly competitive sports: football, table tennis, badminton, chess, scrabble, and athletics. A unique addition, is the traditional Tug of War, aimed at celebrating team spirit and showcasing cultural heritage.

Thirteen tertiary institutions from across Osun State will compete fiercely for top honors. Among the participants are Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Federal Polytechnic Ede, Adeleke University, Redeemers University and others.  Each institution will field their best athletes, aiming to etch their names in the annals of intercollegiate sports history.

The OAU Sports Complex and Federal Polytechnic Ede Sports Complex have been designated as the primary venues, ensuring world-class facilities for the athletes. The games, slated to run from November 20th to December 4th, promise an intense yet thrilling fortnight of competition.

As the countdown to November 20th begins, the excitement is palpable. With the added backing of a renowned brand like BetWGB, the Osun Intercollegiate Games 2024 are set to be a landmark event in Nigerian sports. The stage is set, the athletes are ready, and the world is watching.

Olalere Hakeem, Osun Utd Midfielder Juiced Up For New Season

 

Olalere Hakeem, Osun Utd Midfielder Juiced Up For New Season

Omoluabi Giants Midfielder in recent months has been playing like a player reborn. Olalere who couldn't enjoy more actions last season has got back his groove, contributing immensely towards team's success, shaping up approaches and squad orientation.

United is currently partaking in the second preseason outings in far away Kaduna, since resumption in July, as Seye Ajayi posed to present a squad that would surpass expectations.

'Kebu' as he's fondly called is blessed with initiatives, a forward thinking individual keeping the standard, cool on the ball, dictating the tempo with composure and calmness.

The former 3SC playmaker keeps possession well but always looks to play the ball forward. Always alerted with first touch on the half turn when the ball is played to him on the ground, he does this perfectly in his last 450 minutes of preseason actions.

He has gained more fans recently with his brand of football, he doesn’t delay passes and releases the ball promptly to avoid being dispossessed of the ball with avoidable injury from opponents. He's a team player who always consider a well measured tailored pass for teammates making runs, this is evident in his latest assist as Osun Utd opens goal account in Kaduna through fast rising forward Ganiyu Gberefun.

While talking to the team official media channel, Kebu who enjoys pressing from the front well and jockeys the opponent without engaging in indecent tackles, attributes his enjoyment of new lease of life under Seye Ajayi to 'eagerness and self believe'.

_"You can only rate a performance, no one is interested in a stagnant stream, I am eager to play so I worked hard for this moment, I will keep the standard and work more for the team, the flag will be kept flying.

_"As the coaches keep developing the squad, we know the importance of individual growth and contributions, as a team, we won't look back developing ourselves, that's when we can develop as a unit. Next season is going to be different, we are working hard to add the extra push so as to achieve the set targets." The former Gateway United expressed."