Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was the cynosure of all eyes during the Lagos Waka Football League final as he thrilled the handful of fans that thronged the Eagle Club pitch historic game.
Wearing the all white jersey of the First Waka Football Club B, the former Governor of Lagos State gave the fans some exciting moments on the field with deft touches and dribbles, and falls from hard tackles by Apapa Ajegunle defenders, who gave him no room to operate. A powerful volley from the centre sailed into the net for his team’s level at 1-1. But the First Waka team went to sleep allowing their opponents to run away with a 4-1 win at the end of the game.
First Waka A emerged champions of the League after a 1-1 draw with the Managers but won the trophy with a superior goal difference of +15 over the Managers’ +7. The teams recorded 14points each after six matches. Waka B team came 3rd with 5points. Apapa Ajegunle team who finished 4th on the log with 4points won the Fair Play trophy, scoring 7.5points. Amezi Nwanze of First Waka A emerged top scorer with 7goals, while teammate Ibekwe Ugochukwu won the Most Valuable Player.
The Fair Play trophy is a highly priced award for team discipline as the novel game places emphasis on strict adherence to the rules with zero tolerance for unsporting play, including running (with or without the ball), heading the ball, ball above shoulders heights and tackles from the sides.
Captain of the Waka A team, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, who described walking football as a healthy innovation in the beautiful game, expressed delight at making history as the captain of the first team to win the inaugural Walking Football League trophy in the country.
‘’Walking Football is healthy and safe for the oldies. It promotes wellbeing and enhances fitness of the older players of the game’’.
Speaking on the rules of the game, Ibru said, as a new aspect of football with special rules, players would need a little time to adjust to them. ‘’It is a matter of time; we shall adjust to everything about walking football. I encourage people, especially the 50 years old and above to embrace it,’’ he said.
Mr. Godson Uti, Chairman of Lagos Waka Football Association, expressed his satisfaction with the standard of the matches, saying, waka football has come to stay. We are pleased with the standard so far. We shall continue to work hard for the development of the game in the country.’’ He enjoined old players to take advantage of the waka football to remain in the game, keep fit and be healthy.