THE MEN OF PENS GRACED THE PITCH: UCJ UI UNITY MATCH

 

THE MEN OF PENS GRACED THE PITCH: UCJ UI UNITY MATCH

JUBRIL OLALEKAN

The umbrella body for all Press organization in the University of Ibadan, the Union of Campus journalist (UCJ) on Sunday, the 3^rd of October 2021, organized a Unity match amongst her members which was held at the SUB pitch. The match-up featured many Campus journalists from different Halls of residences, faculties, departments etc. And also attendance were some notable and exceptional student/Campus Journalists as declared by the Junior Chamber International(JCI) in the recently concluded Fifteen Outstanding Persons’ Awards (FOPA); the likes of Kareem Shamusudeen a.k.a Karshams (UCJ UI Editor and FOPA nominee), Theophilus Alawonde a.k.a Theo( Indy Press Editor-in-Chief and winner of the FOPA awards for the category of Journalism/Best Student Journalist), also in attendance was the P.R.O I of UCJ, Ibukunoluwa Dada. It was a match geared towards creating a bond and friendly relation amongst all the journalists and persons under the Union.

At the start of things there were four major groups; group A, B, C and D.  group D vs A, and C vs B. Five players plus a goal keeper made up each team. The first match between group D and A, it was pretty exciting as some players dazzled and showed some great skills and foot-works, and also filled with hilarious moments that made the observers blaze into laughter through funky displays by some of the payers. The match between group A and D ended in a 2-1 win in favour of group A. Group B vs C also graced the pitch, it was one of the most exciting and suspenseful match-up in terms of quality, intensity, energy, etc. The first half however ended in a barren draw and no goals from both sides. In the heat of the moment in the 2^nd half group B got awarded a penalty through a handball in the box by one of the group C defenders. Unfortunately, however, they lost the chance and that later turned a nightmare for them as group C also got a penalty which they converted and eventually secured their 1- 0 win over group B. Although group B later strived and scored at the last minute of the game, but the goal was disqualified.

The Final was between group C vs D which started up on an interesting note but neither of them could break the deadlock as the first half ended in a barren draw. However, group C found the back of the net at about eight minutes into the 2^nd half, but group C wasted no time to put in an equalizer. The match eventually ended on penalties and group C came atop as the winner.

Group B and A battled for the third place, a match that turned out to be the best and the most exciting of the tournament. Group B, who were the favourite to have won the tournament gave a thrilling display in passes, dribbles and possession – the grin, laughter and reactions from the observers says it all. Group B ended up clinching the 3^rd place with a 3-0 win over Group A. with 2 goals from Jubril Olalekan and 1 from Ibrahim.

In the end, Jubril Olalekan was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament(B); Kabir, the Best Midfielder of the Tournament(B), Politikz as the Best Striker(B), IBK, Best goal Keeper(B); the Best Defender, Israel(D); Abdulrahman(D) won The Fasilat Award for the Best Goal; Theophilus Alawonde won the Best Coach; while Karshams bagged the award for ‘The Most Entertaining Non Footballer.