It was celebration galore in Lokoja as Kogi United FC, Confluence Queens, and Feeder Team had it first ever end of the season awards to celebrate outstanding players for their excellent performance in the last calendar football season.
The Indoor Hall of the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja was almost full to capacity on Friday as dignitaries, friends and family of the players and officials, supporters, fans, players and well wishers attended the august occasion.
Three categories of awards were given to three players from each team after been voted for among the officials of the clubs.
Each award recipients smile home with a cash award and a souvenirs courtesy of the club management.
Captain Abiodun Afolabi edged John Jerome to win the Most Valuable Player of the season for Kogi United. Ashadi Destiny won the Most Talented Player of the season while midfield general, Ismail Mayaki cart home the Most Well-Behaved Player of the season after a close competition with Nelson Ukwa and Abiodun Afolabi.
Falconets defender, Okuwakemi Famuditi got much votes to win the Well-Behaved Player of the season for Confluence Queens, home girl Bello Aishat won the Most Talented Player of the season ahead of Ruth Sunday and Mariam Aluko, and it was a unanimous votes for captain Olanrewaju Tobiloba as she won the Most Valuable Player of the season for the Queens.
Three players were also rewarded in the Feeders a Team of Kogi United for their outstanding performances. They are Haruna Isah, Anthony Jegede and Abdulsallam Abdulhamid.
Chairman of the state owned clubs, Mallam Abdul Sule disclosed at the awards ceremony that the idea was to encourage those who performed creditably last season for all the teams, charge them to give more and also to motivate other players to put more efforts just as he promised that the management would continue to encourage them in their career and gives the necessary support to achieve greatness in their campaigns.
Abdul Sule said “This is a motivation for the clubs for the season ending and individuals who have distinguished themselves last season and also to charge others to give more in the coming season.
“Football is a career, that’s why you must give all you got, show respect to the game, be disciplined and be rest assured that that you re been monitored, we will continue to encourage hard work, give the necessary support and make you all happy,” said the former Super Eagles utility player.
Kogi State Football Association Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Isah, represented by the association’s Secretary, Augustine Ogunmola commended the management of the clubs for the initiative which is first of its kind since the creation of the state, just as he promised the association’s continuous commitment to struggle to put all in place for the teams to well in the coming season.
Chairman of the state’s referees council, Mr Ibraheems Adams charged the clubs to always abide by the rules governing the game, praised the management for the idea and also reiterated the council’s support to educate the clubs on the rules guiding the game of football.
Others who spoke at the awards ceremony include the former board member of the state FA, Mr David Ehimoni, Mr Bayo Ilori.
