By Ikenna Nwokedi
Obosi All Stars FC on Sunday, 14th July 2024 came back from a goal down to see off defending champions Anambra State All Stars FC of Onitsha by two goals to one in the opening fixture of the 2024 Babatem All Stars Football Competition.
The match which was played at the Awka City Stadium saw Anambra State All Stars FC taking the lead in the 21st minute of the match through Chijioke Onyekwune. Arinze Chukwura restored parity for Obosi All Stars FC just before the break while Emeka Okolo’s beautiful finish on the dot of the 60th minute was enough for the side to hold on for the maximum points.
The competition which is bankrolled by Mr. Patrick Okwuelingo, MD/CEO of PatrickLingo Pharmaceuticals Limited will see the winner take home the sum of N1million while the first and second runners-up will take home the sum of N500 thousand and N300 thousand respectively among other consolation prizes such as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and Best Behaved Team.
In his remarks after performing the ceremonial kick-off, Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi eulogized the sponsor for bankrolling the competition and adding glamour to the annual football programme. The football administrator informed that the LOC did a thorough job in ensuring that participants are players who are 40 years and above, he also disclosed that all rules of the game in line with FIFA and IFAB will be applied during the course of the competition while admonishing the participating teams to ensure they conform to the tenets of the game.
Commending the competition sponsor, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North LGA, Hon. Casmir Nwafor stated his willingness to replicate such football heroics in his Local Government especially at the primary and secondary school levels. He affirmed that the state is endowed with talented sports men and women at all levels and only needed a platform to showcase their competence and capacity. He also commended ANSFA Chairman, Chief Iloenyosi for ensuring a well organized football program.
Also speaking, the MOC Chairman during the maiden edition of the All Stars Football tourney, Chief Chijioke Ezenwanwe eulogized the benefactor of the competition, Patrick Okwuelingo, for his support towards the project, he confirmed that the competition has come to stay all geared towards taking football to the next level in the state.
On his part, Chairman of the Godz FC, Mr. Kingsley Ndukauba commended Mr. Patrick Okwuelingo for sponsoring the competition which provides another platform for ex-professional footballers to showcase their talents and skills. Ndukauba informed that he is participating in the competition under the platform of Housing All Stars FC of which Mr. Okwuelingo happens to be the patron, he stated that Housing All Stars FC have a crop of talented footballers and their aim is to lift the trophy during the grand finale of the competition.
The 2024 edition of the Babatem All Stars Football Competition is featuring 21 All Stars Football clubs, the football competition will run for a period of three months with matches to be played Saturdays and Sundays at two venues of the Awka City Stadium and Eziowelle Civic Centre football pitch.
As part of the colourful opening ceremony of the 2024 Babatem All Stars Football Competition, the ANSFA Chairman, Chief Iloenyosi gave out 100 footballs to grassroots male and female football clubs as a way to promote the game of football in the state and inform the state football lovers of his intention to establish a football academy.
