All Stars Football Club, Abeokuta have celebrated ex-international, Chief Segun Odegbami(MON), Dr. Felix Owolabi (MON) and other Nigeria's icons in football in a grand style, with a call on them to be more involved in the running of the round leather game in the country
Mathematical Odegbami alongside his team mates, Owolabi and Coach Kadiri Ikhana of the then 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted in Nigeria were among the distinguished individuals decorated with gold medal and golden plague in appreciation of their immeasurable contributions to the development of football by the club during its end of the year event held over the weekend at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Kuto Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital
Also honoured at the colourful event is Veteran Coach Kola Taiwo, who is the Chairman of Board of Trustees for the club, whom Odegbami described as the finest Centre Half player for the senior national team in his playing days in the 60s
Other icons decorated included Coach Toyin Ayinla, Coach Muyiwa Famuyiwa, Coach Biodun Kalejaiye, Elder Biodun Odejimi, Secretary of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria PFAN , Austin Popo and President of All Stars Asero Stadium, Alhaji Suleiman Akibu
Similarly Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiu Majekodunmi , State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde , Hon. Tunji Fagbenro from Egba Division Football and former member and Chairman of Youth and Sports Committee in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Allen-Taylor
President of the club, Alhaji Waheed Lawal who said the annual event since 2015 recognized the contributions of individuals to the growth of football in the country, tasked ex-Footballers to join membership of PFAN and use the platform to speak with one voice and ensure that such voice is loud enough to be heard through the Nigeria Football Federation NFF and State FA Statues
"It is important therefore that our state authorities note that our members' wealth of experience could play a lead role in the management and advisory part of sports related matters in the state", he stated
Lawal described All Stars Football Club as the only group where large number of sports veterans could be located
According to him, "All Stars Abeokuta Football Club with present human capacity of over 125 active members, in the past years embarked on several monumental sports development programmes that could add value to the government's effort on Infrastructural building and maintenance culture and sports enhancement in the state"
Also speaking the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Yusuff Adegboyega lauded the initiative of the club at complimenting the effort of government in the development of football in the state
High point of the annual event was the football league competition won by the club with four points, ahead of Abeokuta Bankers All Stars who clinched silver medal after finishing in second position with two points to beat Egba All Stars who came third with just a point from two matches and went home with bronze medal
A brace from Oluwole Adekunle in quick succession before half-time and late strike from Tosin Folarin ensured that All Stars Abeokuta thrashed Egba All Stars 3-0 after playing a goal less draw with Abeokuta Bankers All Stars who had earlier recorded similar score line in previous match with Egba All Stars
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