A month with 600 participants from 10 wards, 10 games, all winners – MOC Chairman
Ikeja Games has placed Ikeja Federal Constituency in a strategic position to be reckoned with in the scheme of sports development in this great country – DG NIS
It was fun and fanfare on Sunday night as the maiden edition of the Ikeja Games came to a close with a gala night to present awards to winners, feast and reward athletes with over 600 participants of the one-month games festival initiated and sponsored by the Member of House of Representatives for Ikeja Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon James Abiodun Faleke for residents of the 10 INEC wards within his constituency.
The football final of the games rounded up all the events, with the Team from Shoguro/Ogba-Oluwole area, representing Ward F defeating their opponent from Oregun, Olusosun and Alausa area representing Ward C by 2 goals to nil to claim the gold medal and trophy at the Police College, Sunday evening.
The ceremonial kickoff by the amiable wife of Rt. Hon James Abiodun Faleke, Chief Mrs. Bukola Faleke.
In a chat with journalists shortly after the kickoff ceremony, Chief Mrs. Faleke said the essence of the games is to continue connecting with youths and engage them positively in their God’s given talents.
“We don’t want our youths to be idle, hence, the Ikeja Games, to create the platform to identify our budding talents and perhaps help them improve on their God-given talents, this is in continuation of Rt. Hon James Abiodun Faleke’s numerous empowerment programs for the youth and good people of Ikeja Federal Constituency” she ascertained.
On the prospect for the youths in Ikeja Federal Constituency after the 2023 election, she elucidates “As you know that Rt. Hon Faleke has been carrying the Ikeja youths along, with different forms of empowerment. He will not stop doing that, he will continue to do greater things for youths, they will never be left behind, especially in terms of empowering them to be sufficiently economically independent” the Yeye Atunluse-Akorede of Ikeja-Land stated.
At the gala night, she also stated that the Ikeja Games shall be an annual event and subsequent editions discovered talents will be sponsored abroad to develop their budding talents.
The Executive Director of the games, Barr Olawale Ajala appreciated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for their commitment and for organizing a wonderful event. In a month with 600 participants from 10 wards, and 10 games, all participants are winners.
In the same vein, the Chairman Main Organizing Committee (MOC) Barr Bayo ‘Ayo said the Ikeja Games have come to stay and also expressed gratitude to the LOC for their cooperation with the MOC to have a successful event.
He further assured all the participants of a token of five thousand naira each to augment their transportation during the games.
Director General, National Institute for Sports, Surulere Lagos, Professor Olawale Moronkola, ably represented by Director, Mr. Ndaka Lawrence who said the Ikeja Games has placed Ikeja Federal Constituency in a strategic position to be reckoned with in the scheme of sports development in this great country of ours, based on this achievement the need to make the Ikeja Games a yearly affair. National Institute for Sports, Surulere, Lagos, will continue to give technical assistance as we did in this year’s edition.
“Hon James Faleke has promptly supported Lagos State Government in talent hunt in the grassroots and also contribute in mass participation as a way of combating idleness among youths”.
“The Ikeja Games don’t just happen alone, they need the cooperation and assistance of all segments of the society so that continually it will become a reality. It is worth noting that 16 years old Adijat Bello a student from Oregun High School who started playing scrabble at the age of 11 years, was the center of all attention as she emerged in the 5th position out of 100 schools, 50 public and 50 private schools. Such talents should be encouraged and not allowed to waste away”.
“At this junction, I want to appeal with Rt. Hon James Faleke to continue with this excellent gesture he has started, to enable some of these talents discovered at this games to become lead athletes in the near future”.
“Also he should make it a yearly or bi-annual event, as it will go a long way to facilitate the upgrade of sports facilities in the 10 wards of Ikeja Federal Constituency and aid in the improving and enhancing performance in sports greatly. It will also curb youth restiveness and contribute to the physical mass of Lagos State athletes by general implication, national athletes”.
“On behalf of the Minister of Sports and Youth Development and the Management and students of the National Institute for Sports, Surulere, Lagos, we thank Rt. Hon James Faleke for partnering with us in delivering this Ikeja Games, thank you on behalf of my DG” he concluded.
The Ward F team representing Ogba-Oluwole/Shogunro area won the football event as they defeated Ward C representing Oregun, Olusosunand Alausa area of Ikeja 2 nill
While in the third-place match, Ward E defeated Ward I in a penalty shootout in a replica of their first-round match where it was decided on penalty shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw.
The winner of the football event goes home with the trophy, gold medals, two sets of branded jerseys and five hundred thousand naira
While the runner-up gets silver medals, two sets of branded jerseys and three-fifty-thousand naira
the second runner-up also has bronze medals, two sets of branded jerseys and two-hundred-thousand naira
