By Yemi Sodeeq.
Arsenal Kiddies football Academy has lost narrowly to Afonja Stars FA in the final match of the Victor Okosun Christmas Kids Championship.
Asante Micheal, the captain of the Afonja Stars scored the only goal for the Ilorin International Airport based side to win the keenly contested game played at ‘A’ Division Police Barrack playing field on Thursday 24th of December.
In a chat with Sportspro News correspodent, Coach Soni Aamioje,the founder and Technical Director of Arsenal Kiddies FA who is also the organizer of the tournament stated that the competition was organised to mark the significance of Christmas festival.
He noted that the competition which is now in it’s fourth edition is a rallying point for all the kids to share the moment of the festive period together and enjoy a funfare experience.
“Victor Okosun, who has always sponsored the tournament is a Catholic and in view of the significance of Christ birth, he believes we can use this tournament to ginger the children towards the festival” Ahamioje revealed.
Reacting to Arsenal Kiddies FA losing out in the final again after their defeat to Kwara United U-12 Laliga Team in the final of Dr. Chukwudi Ogbolu tournament forthnight ago, he said the competitions are aimed at developing the players but not to burden their memory with a ‘win at all cost syndrome’.
“We actually featured the lowest cadre of the Academy players and as a matter of fact we are keen on giving everybody a sense of belonging in all the competitions we organise not that we must clinch the trophy by force even as the organizer”.
Ifelodun Boys FA and Oyun Starlets also went home with cash prizes from the invitational tournament where they came third and fourth position respectively.
DSP Tajudeen Oguniyi, the OC Band of the Kwara State Police Command, Sportspro News Publisher, Bayour Issah, Secretary of Kwara State Table Tennis Association, Folashade Asaju, Kwara State Coordinator of Female Football Interest Group,(FFIG) Oba Suleiman were all among the dignitaries at the final match.
