By Akeem Busari
The second edition of the annual 1XBET Community Cup Football Championship, was successfully concluded last week Thursday, with FC Bethel Sporting defeating Gunners Link FC 2-1 in the grand final to go home with the giant trophy and the eyes-popping N10m prize money.
Interestingly, the exciting and fond memories of the biggest grassroots football championship in this part of the world, has continued to attract encomiums, as stakeholders, players, team officials have been waxing lyrical about the sporting and socio-economic impacts of the championship on the society.
Caleb Okereke, who was unanimously adjudged as the Most Valuable Player of the championship, was full of praises for the sponsors, 1XBET and of course, the organisers, Match International Limited, for giving him and other young players, the opportunity to showcase their talents on a world class stage.
Alhaji Musiliu Alao, President of Emiloju football club, that placed fourth during the competition, was equally effusive in praises, for the sponsors and members of the technical committee, ably led by tournament's technical director, ex-Nigeria international player, Engr. Waidi Akanni, who also doubles as the CEO, of Match International Limited.
Football stakeholders in the state also expressed unreserved appreciation to the organisers for their efforts in putting up a top class football championship, that belies its grassroots status and thus, setting an enviable benchmark for football organisation in Nigeria.
Chief Kayode Ogunseye, a renowned football aficionado commended 1XBET and the organisers, on the championship, he described as classy, exciting, glitzy and glamorous.
"This championship, has indeed, become the success template for other football organisers and prospective sponsors to copy.
"Despite my agelong experience as a grassroots football promoter, the 1XBET CommunityCup, has further opened my eyes to the untapped possibilities in grassroots football, and only, if it is properly organised like that one put up by Engr. Waidi Akanni and his team.
The finals of the championship which had well over 5,000 soccer fans in attendance, at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, was also witnessed by creme de la creme of the society, including top politicians, celebrities and several former Nigeria international players.
