The Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA has won an Inter-University football Competition hosted by the Igbinedion University to mark its Silver Jubilee Anniversary.
The competition was held between May 1st and 4th 2024.
In the first match, it was a walkover victory for the FUTA Tigers as the opponent, Lagos State University, did not show up. And in accordance with the rules of the game, match officials awarded a 3-0 score in favour of FUTA. In the second match FUTA trounced the Fountain University, Osogbo 4.1. In the third match, the University of Benin held FUTA Tigers to a 1-I draw but the dexterous skills of the FUTA players came into play during the penalty shootout with the game ending 5-4.
In the final match the host team could not outplay FUTA. After a 1-1 score in regulation time, FUTA showed its famed resilience through a 5-4 penalty win over Igbinedion University. The Deputy Chancellor of Igbinedion University , Chief Lucy Igbinedion presented the trophy to the Captain of FUTA Tigers , Adebola Ayobami amidst jubilation.
Briefing the Vice Chancellor ,Professor Adenike Oladiji , on the outcome of the competition, the chairman of FUTA sports council, Professor Christopher Akinbile said FUTA team was outstanding and conducted themselves maturely with maximum cooperation while the game lasted .While thanking the Vice Chancellor for her support and commitment to the sporting activities in FUTA, he also extended heartfelt appreciation to the Management for their immense support towards the centers endeavors, the coaches and the players.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji in her remarks congratulated FUTA sports center and FUTA team for the excellent achievement. She thereafter charged the players to be focused in every department of life and also be studious in order to excel academically as they did in sports. She however reiterated the importance of discipline in sports. Discipline, she noted, was the hallmark of sports as good sportsmen and women are able to effectively combine sports and academics.
The Vice Chancellor pledged to further support the sports center so they could continue to achieve maximum results with more wins in sporting activities within and outside Nigeria.
The FUTA team captain Adebola Ayobami while presenting the trophy to the Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to God for protection, the Vice Chancellor for her motherly role, staff of the sports Centre, led by the Director, Dr Alayode Ajibua, for their mentorship and also to his team members for their cooperation all through. He therefore pledged his teams unwavering commitment to outstanding performance in sporting activities in FUTA and also excellence in their course of study.
