The grand finale football match of the 2018 edition of Felix Anirah Football Tournament between Ejele Football Academy of Sapele in Delta State and Sporting Dream Football Club of Edo State took place at the Sapele Stadium recently with Ejele Academy boys humbling their opponent with a goal to nil to win the N1 million cash prize and a giant trophy.
The encounter which showcased both teams giving good account of their football prowess, also demonstrated the sporting spirit reminiscent of the old Bendel State which held sway as number one state in sport in the country.
Ejele Academy boys, in the early minutes of the first half of the encounter took advantage of the Sporty Dream’s keeper error to slot in the first and only goal of the match. Thereafter, both sides resorted to defence and the encounter ended one goal in favour of Ejele Academy of Sapele.
The tournament which is an annual sporting event sponsored by Chief Felix Anirah, former executive chairman of Sapele Local Government Area and currently the House of Assembly candidate on the platform of the PDP, involved several other clubs where the two finalists emerged from both states. Partakers Football Club of Agbor came third while the Rockers Football Club of Benin City came fourth.
Ejele Academy won the first prize of N1 million cash and a trophy while Sporting Dream Football club of Benin City won the second prize of N750,000 with a trophy just as the Partakers Club of Agbor won the third prize of N500,000 cash prize and a trophy and the Rockers FC of Benin City came fourth with a cash prize of N250,000 with a trophy.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the encounter, the sponsor of the tournament, Chief Anirah stated that the annual sporting event which has been on for some years now was his own modest contribution to the development of youths and attempt to take the jobless ones from the street. According to him, some of the products of the tournament have over the years been called into the national team.
Stating clearly that the tournament has no political undertone, Chief Anirah assured that the 2019 edition would involve football clubs from across the South South geopolitical zone and will attract a cash prize of N5 million for the winner of the tournament.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the various cash prizes and trophies to the first, second, third and fourth position club sides.
Present at the event was the Honourable Commissioner for Works Mr. James Augoye who represented the Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State PDP chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso, the executive chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Chief Eugene Onoaghan, the Director of Asaba Airport, Hon. Austine Ayemidejor, Olorogun Charles Ufuoma Obule, Edo State director of sports, among other dignitaries.
