Igala United Football Club of Kogi State has gained promotion from the Nationwide League One Division 3 to Division 2 after finishing second behind Jazzy Stars Fc of Plateau State at the Gwagwalada Centre.

Igala United Football Club who defeated Jazzy Fc in their opening game of the just concluded Nationwide League One Division 3 at the University of Abuja Teaching hospital, Gwagwalada by a lone goal scored by Emmanuel Omale however lost their returned leg match to same Jazzy Fc 5-4 on penalty shootout after proceedings ended 1-1 in regulation time.The penalty shootout was to determine which team tops the group.

Jazzy Fc and Igala United Football Clubs however were given the green light to proceed to Division 2 of the 3rd tier league after amassing maximum points and after other participating teams especially from Niger State failed to show up for the Playoffs.

With the inability of some of the contending teams to show up in Gwagwalada, Jazzy Fc and Igala United picked the two tickets to the next division after placing first and second respectively.

Speaking with Sports writers at the University of Abuja Teaching hospital football pitch, a visibly elated Technical Director of Igala United Football Club,Coach Abubakar Kamar Olachene showered praises on the boys for achieving their long term dream of promotion to the next division in just their second season in the Nationwide League One Division 3.He however thanked Dr Victor Alewo Adoji for his financial support which he said has made the execution of this year’s playoffs a reality and huge success.

“We thank and appreciate almighty Allah for this feat.We came to Gwagwalada well prepared because we knew that we are coming to meet with the best from other states and so we prepared well and that preparation has given us promotion.

The boys kept their heads up and displayed the spirit of resilience, determination and doggedness which handed us this promotion.Worthy of mention is Dr Victor Alewo Adoji,the man who has given everything to the team to ensure we get to where we are today.We can’t thank and appreciate him enough “

Coach Jeremiah Zhokwo of Igala United Football Club said they were able to achieve this feat in the second attempt because of Hardwork and adequate preparations.He said because the team lacks nothing,they in turn resolved to justify the confidence reposed in them by picking one of the promotion ticket from the group.

By this promotion,the Club from the Eastern Senatorial zone of Kogi State will next season be plying their trade in the division 2 of the Nationwide League One

History was once again made yesterday as De Royal Stars Football Academy Gwagwalada became the first club in Gwagwalada to officially unveil their jerseys in a grand style.

The ceremony drew notable football administrator and captains of industries to Gwagwalada for the colourful unveiling ceremony, as well as Gwagwalada Football stakeholders.

The Proprietor Mr. Nicholas Akujobi while speaking at the ceremony gave a brief history of the emergence of the Academy.

He also used the opportunity to invite potential sponsors to key into this great vision coming out of Gwagwalada Area Council by partnering with them.

He used the opportunity to display a PowerPoint presentation of the two organizations that donated the jerseys and other would be sponsors.

He Specially thanked AthletesCare Sports, Lagos, as well as KK Ventures Ltd, Lagos for donating the jerseys, while urging others to key into grassroots football development.

Gwagwalada Area Council, Kuje, Abuja Municipal Area Council have emerged winners of the 2022 FCT U-12/U-15 Inter-Area Council Handball Championship concluded on Saturday.

In the finals held at the Multi-purpose Handball Indoor Sports Hall Old Parade Ground Garki Abuja, Gwagwalada emerged winners of the U-15 male category while Kuje won the U-15 female category. AMAC showed dominance as they won the male and female U-12 categories.

Kuje emerged the overall winner in their round rugby group U-15 female games while AMAC and Bwari Area Council came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

In the U-12 male category final, AMAC defeated Abaji 18-11 to win the trophy while Kuje went home with the bronze after beating Kwali Area Council 21-11 in the 3rd place match.

AMAC made it two victories in the tournament after the U-12 female team humbled their Bwari Area Council counterparts 19-1 in the final while Kuje placed 3rd.

Abuja Municipal Area Council dominated the Individual Awards after the final.

In the U-15 female, Most Valuable Player award went to Deborah Danjunma of Kuje while Deborah Kin Kin of AMAC won the Highest Goal Scorer award with 12 goals. Kuje goalkeeper, Bethsheba Isaac won the Best Goalkeeper Award.

In the female U-12 category, Jumai Samson from AMAC was outstanding as she won the Most Valuable Player award while her teammate, Ladi Sunday went home with the Highest Goal Scorer’s Award with 21 goals. Bwari Area Council’s goalkeeper, Hope James won the Best Goalkeeper Award.

In the U-12 male category, Bado Bameyi of AMAC won the Most Valuable Player, his compatriot, Ephraim Enoch went home with the Highest Goal Scorer’s Award with 24 goals.

The Best Goalkeeper Award went to Zaradeen Abdulamid of Abaji.

Kuje Area Council’s Johnson Nabala showed his talent as he emerged the Most Valuable Player in the male U-15 category while Francis Bulus of AMAC with 27 goals got the Highest Goal Scorer’s Award for his effort.

Joseph Morgan of Gwagwalada won the Best Goalkeeper Award for the U-15 male category.

Dignitaries that graced the finals were the President, Handball Federation of Nigeria HFN, Mr Samuel Ocheho and the Secretary-General, Commonwealth Handball Association, Mr Jubril Saidu both of whom were represented by Alhaji Hussaini Mohammed, a board member of the HFN.

Others are FCT Sports Council Director, Mr Lukas Istifanus; first Nigerian coach to take the national Handball team to Olympics in Barcelona 1992, Coach Patrick Atusu; FCT Handball Association Chairman, Ambassador Dr Edward Olutoke and his Board members, and other personalities.

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Amaechi Agbo
08032190697
Media Director

Media Department
FCT Handball Association

May 6, 2022