Hon. Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi Football Tournament Kicks off in grand style.

Guests and invited dignitaries wecre well entertained with great football skills by players of the two teams, HOP, Ajao and Canal Bombers, Okota who played the first game of the 2024 edition of the Football Tournament sponsored by Hon. Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the member representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2 at the community stadium, Ejigbo. The tournament is expected to run from 8th to 15th December, 2024.

The HOP football team from Ajao
The HOP football team from Ajao

There are twelve teams registered from the constituency that will vie for the whopping N500 thousand naira cash prize and winners trophy. At the end of the match, it was HOp Ajao that deservedly won by a spectacular goal scored from a free kick reminiscent of Lionel Messi style by their number 8 player, Jide.

Chief John Uche preparing to perform the ceremonial kicking of the ball to signal the start of the tournament. He is flanked by Chief Dr CFC Obih Ugoabata,, Mazi Charles Echemazu, Walter Ukaga, Uju Ofoha, and Dr. Jairus Abba
Chief John Uche preparing to perform the ceremonial kicking of the ball to signal the start of the tournament. He is flanked by Chief Dr CFC Obih Ugoabata,, Mazi Charles Echemazu, Walter Ukaga, Uju Ofoha, and Dr. Jairus Abba

Korrect News, who were on ground to witness the opening match, can authoritatively report that many influential dignitaries in the constituency witnessed the opening match . These included Chief John Uche, the Special Assistant to Hon. Okey-Joe on Political socio-cultural matters, Hon. Edison Madubufo, CEO/ publisher, Korrect News, Chief Amb. Dr. CFC Obih Ugoabata, president General, united market leaders/ traders Association of Nigeria, Walter Ukaga, Constituency Admin, Chief I.k Agina, chairman, Ohaneze, Ejigbo, Asobi Peter, second vice chairman, Labour Party, Ejigbo, Mrs Uju Ofoha, political leader, Women, Ejigbo, and many others.

The Canal Bombers football team from Okota.
The Canal Bombers football team from Okota.

In his speech to formally welcome participants and guests, Chief John Uche, who represented Hon. Okey-Joe, revealed that the tournament was one of the campaign promises of the Hon. and that with this, it has shown that truly he is a man of his words. According to him ” The tournament is to engage the youths in something positive so that they can stay away from societal vices” He further revealed that outstanding players that would be discovered in the competition will have an opportunity to travel abroad for trials. He then sought for support for Hon. Okey-Joe. He concluded by advising them to play and participate fairly.

Highlights were the official kicking of the ball by Chief John Uche, which of signifies the commencement of the tournament, and the handing over of bags of jerseys, captain armbands, and pairs of hose by Walter Ukaga, to chief John Uche ,who then formally handed them to Mr. Onyema Kenneth, the chief sports coordinator of the Hon. Okey- Joe team for onward distribution to participating teams.