OAU Football Finest Awards: Tomiwa, Elizabeth, among others, wins OFFA Footballer of the Year

Tolulope Adeniran 

It was with joy and happiness that sportsmen and lovers of Football witnessed the atmosphere of the OAU Football Finest Awards show on the night of Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, which was hosted by Isco Sport World and Jot Sport. 

Friends, family and coursemates were present at the venue to celebrate with sportsmen who won awards.

Giving his welcome speech, the OAU giants coach and a well known official in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ayo Faleti noted the importance of partaking in sporting activities like football, as one that involves cooperation between teammates. 

Take a glance at the categories of the awards and winners of each category:

BEST PLAYER IN GIFL - ABASS ADEBISI

BEST PLAYER IN SUPREMACY CUP - MUBARAK UTHMAN

BEST PLAYER IN JOTLEAGUE 2.0 - ADELEYE JESUTOFUNMI

BEST PLAYER IN TEPL - MUSTAPHA MANSUR

BEST PLAYER IN DFC 5.0 - BASIT OLALEKAN

BEST DEPARTMENTAL DOS - BELLO ADEKUNLE (ACCOUNTING)

BEST FACULTY DOS - BASIT YUSUF (TECH)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR - JOHN AKINOLA

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - FALADE JUWON

BEST HALL DOS (MALE HOSTEL) - ADEYINKA ALIU (FAJUYI HALL)

BEST HALL DOS (FEMALE HOSTEL) - OLATUNJI DOLAPO (ALUMNI HALL)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR - AYO FALETI

TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR- GREAT IFE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

OFFA MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - AIYEDOGBON TOMIWA

OFFA WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - ADEFISOYE ELIZABETH

BEST CLUB MIDFIELDER - MUSTAPHA MANSUR

BEST CLUB FORWARD - LANA CALEB

FAN OF THE YEAR (MALE) - ABASS ADEBISI

FAN OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) - STELLA ODUNAYO

DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR - ACCOUNTING

FOOTBALL ADMIN OF THE YEAR - ADEWUMI OLALEKAN 

BEST CLUB DEFENDER - OJETAYO EMMANUEL

CLUB COACH OF THE YEAR - MUBARAK ADEDOLAPO

CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR - LANA CALEB

CLUB GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - ADEWALE YUSUF

CLUB OF THE YEAR - CLASSIC ROYALS FC

FANS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR - LANA CALEB

OFFA COACH OF THE YEAR - OYEKUNLE OYEDEJI

BEST FOOTBALL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR - OJETAYO EMMANUEL 

SPONSOR OF THE YEAR- ELPHER GROUP

One of the organizers of the event, Isco Sport World, through its CEO, Adewumi Olalekan noted that the awards were presented to the winners based on their performance throughout the session.

In an interview with him, Adewumi said the award is given to players to give them due recognition and honours for their performance during the session. He also highlighted the importance of the OAU Football Finest Awards Ceremony as one event that helped reveal the personal Finesse and style of the players. He further stated that the event would serve as source of inspiration for aspiring footballers to perform better. 

Another relevance of the Event, tagged 'Beyond Passion', as stated by the winner of the Football Admin of the year, is to bring together sportsmen and sportsmen, in order for them to meet beyond the pitch. He also noted that it's a bridge linking entertainment and sports.

Another award winner, Elizabeth Adefisoye, who won the OFFA Women's Player of the Year, noted how elated she was when she awarded. The female footballer who dedicated her award to her late father appreciated God almighty and everyone that contributed to her success in winning the award. She therefore admonished every female aspiring to cling the best awards to keep putting more efforts to achieve their goals. 

Elizabeth said, "Every training session, every game, and every challenge is a step towards their goal. They should believe in themselves, support their teammates, and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Their hard work and perseverance will pave the way for their success."

Caleb Lana who won the most Decorated Footballer for winning three awards, said it was honorary to win three awards. He noted that the importance of playing football is however not winning an award, but to help a team to develop. He emphasized that the awards serve as a motivation to get better as a footballer. 

"It's a talent from childhood, and I enjoyed playing from childhood. But, what really inspired me was watching Super Eagles matches as a kid, and the drive to also want to play for my country inspired me to venture into footballing fully.", Caleb added. 

Furthermore, he advised upcoming football players never to give up on the dream.

The OFFA Men's Player of the Year, Aiyedogbon Tomiwa, speaking on his first ever award, appreciated God, parents and his coaches, Modric and VDP, for the opportunity to have won the award category despite being competitive. He further noted that watching football and the passion possessed by professional footballers such as Christiano Ronaldo inspired him to love the sport. 

Tomiwa said, "It was unexpected because fellow nominees were strong contender especially Carlessi(Caleb Lana)."

He further admonished upcoming footballer to never relent and keep on pushing till they reach the goal they want.