Barrister Churchill Oliseh Canvasses For More Investments In Grassroots Football

 Grassroot Football Investment In Nigeria Is Profitable - Churchill Oliseh

Barrister Churchill Oliseh, President of Nationwide League One (NLO) club, FC Ebedei has advised Nigerians that investment in grassroot football is a profitable venture.

Churchill, the elder brother of former Super Eagles coach and the captain is credited with discovering Nigerian internationals like Obafemi Martins, Paul Onuachu (Genk, Belgium), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England) among others.

In a lecture, he delivered at the maiden Ekiti State Football Association Merit Awards ceremony at the Adetiloye Banquet Hall in Ado Ekiti, titled The Essence Of Investing In Grassroot Football, Oliseh said, "The gains from investing in football are wide, varying, covert, secret, concealed and rewarding.

"I want to tell everyone present in this hall that since 1994, there is no medal Nigeria has won that you won't see a product of FC Evedei has not been part of it.

"So it's profitable investing in grassroot football and the profits can be immediate or long term based. One who may not necessarily be the owner of the grassroot team can still make from the profits if he or she belongs to the chain that groomed the player.

"The inability to profit from football investment is prima facie evidence of incompetence, ineptitude and flawed policy or model.

"Another common component why many grassroot football clubs don't make gains in their investments is as a result of them not being able to separate their finances from that of the club."

The FC Ebedei boss further advised investors to be ready for the challenges ahead in the football business industry.

"Presidents or owners of these clubs most also prepare for existing present-day terrain and industry drawbacks and challenges as they do for the weather."

Remo Stars Gift Fan Wheelchair And Cash

 Remo Stars Gift Fan Wheelchair And Cash

It's a day not to forget in a hurry for Ilorin based die-hard fan of Remo Stars, Inuoluwa Heritage after he was given a new wheelchair and cash by management of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) team.

Heritage, a person living with disabilities is a passionate follower of the domestic league and travelled to Ikenne to support the Sky Blues Stars.

Presenting the gift to Inuoluwa at half time of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup semi-final game between Tornadoes and Remo Stars, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sky Blues Stars Ogungbefun Lukmon said it was a way to reward his passion.

"The gesture is just to show our appreciation to him (Inuolawa) who has been a supporter Remo Stars. I also learnt that he is based in Ilorin, so the wheelchair will help ease his movement 

"I wouldn't want to disclose the value of the cash that was given to him, the token is just to take care of his accommodation and feeding here in Ikenne."

A delightful Inuoluwa thanked the club President, Kunle Soname for his kind gesture as prayed that in the near future, the club will win the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) and make its debut in the CAF Champions League.

"I want to say a big thank you to Soname and everyone in Remo Stars. When the President(Soname) saw me supporting the Sky Blues Stars in one of the matches at the Ogunjobi Gold Cup, I sent someone to call me and after meeting with him, he told me he liked my passion for football and he has a gift for me.

"I never expected that it would a wheelchair to help ease my movement and cash to pay for my accommodation as I came from Ilorin to support Remo Stars."

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues Stars come from behind to beat Tornadoes 2-1 to advance to the finals of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup.

Ogunjobi Gold Cup: Ashadi Talks Tough Vows To Lift The Trophy

 

Ashadi Vows Rediscover Form, Targets  Title

One of the poster boys of the Nigerian Professional Football League(NPFL) Destiny Ashadi has vowed to rediscover his good form and win the Ogunjobi Gold Cup with Niger Tornadoes.

Ashadi, 26, no doubt is one of the most gifted attacking midfielders in the domestic league, as he is a delight to watch on the pitch owing to his dazzling skills and leadership qualities too.

The CHAN Eagle star who was among the squad that lost 3-2 to Spanish LaLiga heavyweight Atletico Madrid in a friendly at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in 2018, has had a fair share of injury of late, which slowed his game and made him not to hit form at Rivers United last season.

Now with the Ikon Allah Boys, at the Ogunjobi Gold Cup a delightful Ashadi said: "Glad to be with Tornadoes playing and gradually am finding back my form with the matches I have played in this tourney.

"I left Rivers United by mutual consent, not for any other thing, injury slowed me down at Rivers United. When I recovered I was not convinced with the play time I was getting, so I had a private meeting with Coach Stanley Eguma and he agreed that I can get my release papers and go to a team where I would much playing time.

"Am having a splendid time with Tornadoes, the atmosphere at the club is good as we are a family and have mutual respect for one another."

"My partnership with Daniel Edeh in the  midfield has been good as we have a better understanding of ourselves as we speak same dialect, so communication has been the key to our impressive play.

"It's going to be a different ball at the semi-finals as we will approach the game against Remo Stars with the zeal to win. We won't be complacent."

The country's first pre-Season tournament is sponsored by Optima Energy, and its proudly supported by Alansmith Nigeria Limited, Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Foundation, Nigeria leading sportswear firms, Owu, Haggai Sportswear, Afripro, Naija League Magazine, Matchroom, Sports, 11th Media Global Concept, Phreestyle Sports, Renewed Hope, Kao Concept, Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation, Dejavu Communication, Olansile Football Academy, TSI Football Academy and ITS Football Management.

Osun Apex League: Resurgent Akoment Held Hammola Int'l, Os NSCDC Secures First Point, Olansile FC, HMK FC Set To Bounce Back.

 Osun Apex League: Resurgent Akoment Held Hammola Int'l, Os NSCDC Secures First Point, Olansile FC, HMK FC Set To Bounce Back.

Actions resume across six centres as the much publicized maiden edition of Osun Apex League enters week nine.

Os NSCDC ended its pointless streak as Bamikefa Olufemi tutored side rues a die minutes equalizer by their host, Victory Police FC. The security outfit preserved Ahmed's lone strike for the most part of the duel but Victory Police rallied to share the spoils, recall that Victory Police are victorious in the reverse encounter which ended 4-1.

The Civil Defense team who had no point throughout the first stanza of the league now have a point to their credit as they maintain same position on the log.

Olansile FC and H. M. K FC will like to bounce back from their disappointment away from home and seek redemptions. H. M. K FC who tasted defeats for the first time in Okuku  as second round kicks off would bank on their scoring winger Qudus and gangling striker Azeez  while hosting Victory Police FC. Ayedire Utd will have their hands full while engaging Omo Mummy Boys in far away Ileogbo.  

The league top scorer Habeeb Olanrewaju who inspired Hammola FC to come back and secured a draw against resurgent Akoment FC will like to sustain his scoring form while playing as a guest to Osun NSCDC. 

The likes of Otin Babes, Timi Giants and Fehinty FC are capable of causing upset as they all play away from home this weekend. Despite picking draws in their last games, the ldo Osun based outfits Hammola FC and Fehinty FC are still topping their respective groups.

The top two teams in each group would eventually qualify for Super 4 to determine the actual league winner.

Osun Apex League is packaged and financed by Osun FA under the distinguished sports financier Alhaji Rasaq lshola Mustapha RIM. The Grand Prize of 120, 000 and 100, 000 have been earmarked for the eventual winner and runner’s up. There are countless exciting gifts also for participating teams and individual awards are also in the offing. The second stanza will kick start again by Wednesday, 20th October 2021.

Osun Apex League

Week 9 Fixtures 

Wednesday 27-10-2021

Os NSCDC Vs Hammola FC 1pm

Akoment Vs Otin Babes 3pm

H. M. K. FC Vs Victory Police FC 3pm

Saturday 30-10-2021

Ayedire Utd Vs Olansile FC  1pm

Orolu Vs Timi Giants  3pm

Hadji Hammed Vs Fehinty FC  3pm

Flying Officers Cup 2021: The Individuals Who Stole The Show.

 Flying Officers Cup 2022: Lawal, Georgewill, Okah Lead Individual Awards. 

Flying Officers Cup 2021 is finally in the books after FC Robo Queens were crowned Champions for the first time, defeating 2019 winners Edo Queens by a lone goal. Some individual footballers did fantastically well and were celebrated at the end of the tournament. 

Player Of the Tournament (Taiwo Lawal, FC Robo Queens)

The FC Robo Queens forward was superb all through the tournament and was one of the reasons her team became eventual winners of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. She was always pushing forward and was a nightmare for every defenders she faced. 

The Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi' Award For Highest Goalscorer - Ibinabo Georgewill, Confluence Queens -3 Goals 1 Assist) 

Ibinabo Georgewill of Confluence Queens edged out Emem Essien to win the tournament's Golden boot award. Ibinabo scored three goals, same as Emem, but had one assist ahead. Unfortunately, Emem Essien's goal against Confluence Queens in the Semi-finals was taken off board after a video review showed that Confluence Queens defender, Micheal Joy actually headed the ball and not the Edo Queens forward. 

Young Player Of The Tournament - (Rukayat Shobowale, FC Robo Queens) - 

The young football maestro started all six games as the 'Lagos Landladies' went all the way to lift the coveted title. She was everywhere on the pitch, ensuring that her team never loses focus upfront. 

The Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi Award For Best Goalkeeper (Nkiruka Obindinma, Edo Queens)

 - The 2019 NWFL Premiership goalkeeper of the year was voted as the best safe hands at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. The Former Osun Babes goalie, conceded only one goal in 5 games that she participated in. She made some good saves too, yo help her side get to the final of the competition for the second time. 

Fair Play Award (Naija Ratels FC) -

 Naija Ratels weren't at their best in the Competition, but the players showed class and discipline all through the competition. The 'Ratels' exhibited exemplary behavior that promoted the spirit of fairplay despite going down against Royal Queens and FC Robo Queens in the competition. 

Goal Of The Tournament (Adaobi Okah, Edo Queens Vs Sunshine Queens) - 

The best goal of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup was scored by Edo Queens Adaobi Okah of Edo Queens against her former side, Sunshine Queens in the third quarter final encounter of the competition. 

Her extraordinary, strike from a far-right acute angle against Sunshine Queens was the cream of the crop.

Most Entertaining Team- (Ghana Police Ladies FC)-

 Even though they crashed out in the first round, the Ghanaian team won the hearts of fans with their style and should be credited for producing some fine moments of football. Juanita Aguadze, Jane Ayayiem, Ivy Kolli and others were on top of their game and never let loose guards at all.