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Olympic champion Chioma Ajunwa, and ex football international Clement Temile and other ex-players highlight players expected at the inaugural Above 50 Football Tournament.
Organising Chairman, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, Saturday, said eight teams will be competing for N8million prize money from July 28-30.
Dr. Ladipo said Above 50 football is growing across the world. “Brazil, Germany, Ghana and other countries are already their Above 50 teams and soon FIFA will be staging Above 50 World Cup. Olympian Chioma Ajunwa is part of us, Clement Temile has said he’s joining our team. Henry Nwosu has been around to watch us.”
According to Dr Edward Olutoke, President, Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA), winners will take home N5 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive N3million and N1million respectively.
He said: “Many of us are passionate about football, we are always shouting about Ronaldo and Messi, but we are not connected to the economy of the game. That is the essence of this tournament. We are saying that life starts at 50 and you don’t give up on yourself at 50 or above. It is a new concept, aimed at making the elderly ones in the society have a platform to entertain people, burn calories, network, reduce stress, discuss business ideas as well as keep fit.”
Olutoke, who is also president Poverty Fighters Squad (PFS), said the championship is for seasoned and amateur players. “We believe that nobody above 50 should struggle to make a living, but the story is different here, and that is the reason why we need to pay attention to them because the elderly are an influential part of the society and should be taken care of It is not good for people in that age bracket to seat at home doing nothing because boredom will set in. it will help them to come out, keep fit and connect.”
