The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has successfully defended their title, winning the 2nd edition of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Correspondent Chapel Football Tournament, held in Abuja on Saturday, retaining their championship status.
The Road safety team known as the Safety Shooters, did the double in style after beating the Federal High Court team for the second time in row by a solitary goal in the second half from a sublime solo move by Eshimutu Gomina in a keenly contested match at the Old parade ground Area 10 before a mamoot crowd.
The final of the tournament which featured twelve teams from both private and public organisations was brought to a spectacular end in front of dignitaries and sports enthusiasts.
Present at the event were the representatives of the; Managing Director AIBEN, President of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), Inspector General of Police, Transcorp Hilton Management, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL) amongst other dignitaries,
Also the National Association of Women Journalists ( NAWOJ ) thrashed the former chairmen and male veteran journalist 3-0 in a novelty game which served as a teaser to the final match.
The FRSC team ( Safety Shooters ) had earlier edged out the Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA ) , Nigeria Bar Association ( NBA ) and the Nigeria Customs ( NCS ) enroute the final; while the Federal High Court ( FHC ) on the other hand eliminated the Nigeria Police Force( NFP ) and tournament title sponsor AIBEN who had defeated Sports writers Association ( SWAN) to set for the grand finale.
FRSC winning captain Azubuike Stephen, admitted that the team was under pressure to win again.
“The experience has been great, you know coming from last year’s victory to this year, much was expected from us and we gave our best to deliver what was expected from us. We won the cup for our Corp Marshal and we definitely know that he’ll reward us,” Azubuike affirmed.
Meanwhile, the FRSC received an immediate threat from the Inspector General of Nigeria Police represented by Patrick Attahiru, following the victory.
“I’ll congratulate the eventual winners the FRSC for a good game, but let me put them on notice, this is your second time. And as the saying goes, the police has gone back to the drawing board. We’re going to terminate your run at the third edition. We’re already preparing to take over from you at the next edition,” The IGP promised.
On his part, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, represented by Director of Communications Ademola Olajire, saluted NUJ Correspondents Chapel and called for more sponsorship for growth of the tournament.
“On behalf of the board and management staff of the NFF, I want to say a very big congratulations to the NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel for what they are doing. This particular edition is the second edition and it’s been very successful. You’re doing a very wonderful thing,” he noted.
“I’ll like to thank the sponsors of this tournament.They’re doing a good thing, it’s a noble one. Wellness is very important, I’m always happy when I see journalists doing things to make us healthier to be able to carry-out our assignments. It’s important to be healthy, physically and mentally to perform our jobs.”
“I congratulate the organizers for a job well-done. They said the first edition had 8-teams and this year 12-teams and perhaps next year we’ll be having up to 20 teams and then we’ll take it to a full tournament that can last up to a week.”
Let’s continue to encourage them, the NFF is very appreciative of the warm relationship with the media and we’ll continue to do that everywhere and at every opportunity. I hope the sponsors will not only remain but we’re going to have more sponsors for this championship to fulfill its objective of synergy and collaboration with other sectors of the society. I congratulate everyone involved,” He enthused.
Other sponsors of the tournament includes; Nigerian Red Cross Society, Julius Berger Nigeria, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, ABEYSTEPH Globalink Limited Fixxes Gifts and Events FCTA, FCT FA, Federal High Court,
