Stalwarts win Wale Okediran soccer tourney

From left, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration), Professor Christopher Ajila; Honourable Wale Okediran presenting trophy to the captain of Stalwarts, Paul Igbokwe, after winning the 41st edition of Wale Okediran football competition at the Obafemi Awolowo University Stadium on Friday. With them is the Sport Coordinator, Ayotunde Ogundana. PHOTO: Olawale Olaniyan.

The Stalwarts of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) on Friday defeated their counterparts Phoenix 3-1 to win the Wale Okediran football competition.

The competition which was introduced 41 years ago among medical students of the institution by the former member, House of Representatives, Honourable Wale Okediran, saw Phoenix bow to their junior, Stalwarts in the epic final played at the main bowl of the institution.

Stalwarts star man, Jafret Omokanye scored twice before Ahmed Ogunyemi made it 3-0 while Ope Adeniji scored the consolation goal for Phoenix.

In his remarks, initiator and sponsor of the competition, Okediran, said he was happy to sustain the competition since 1978 adding that the competition had brought joy to him likewise the medical students of the institution.

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Okediran, a former President of the medical students union said: “The competition was a small idea, mainly for medical students of the OAU in 1978 to have an avenue for recreation and remove their hectic academic schedule and since then, the competition is held every year and I’m so happy it has brought joy to me and to the medical students of this institution.

“I just want to encourage our students to embrace sports because these days, many students are not interested in extra curriculum activities, all they want is to get to University, study and graduate.”

“I believe this competition would have reduce youthful exuberance that we have been seeing like cultism, violence, drug addiction, among other social vices.

“Sports has always been an avenue for youths to display their energies and also to learn other skills and I hope this competition will be extended to other faculties later in future.”

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Representative of the Chancellor of the institution, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration) Professor Christopher Ajila, applauded the initiative of Okediran while thanking him for supporting sports development in the insitution.

Also, Sports Director of the department, Ayotunde Ogundana, lauded Okediran and his colleagues for the support rendered to make this year’s edition a glorious one.

He said both the donor and the medical students have been so supportive saying “the competition would get better every year.”