This past weekend, the curtains were drawn on another epic season of the Nigeria Bankers Games and the finale was one to remember. The action packed day was graced by a host of dignitaries including:
- Tony Elumelu – Chairman, UBA
- Nnamdi Okonkwo – Managing Director, Fidelity Bank
- Desmond Anumkua – Divisional Head, Internal Control Compliance, Fidelity Bank
- Charles Aigbe- Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Fidelity Bank
- Shina Atilola – Group head, Strategy & Innovation, Sterling Bank
- Atilade Adeyinka – Unit head, IT Budget & Control Management, FCMB
- Uyi Uhunmwangho – Team Manager, Stanbic IBTC
- Corporate Nigeria Hall of Fames: Eric Iruh, Theo Amadi, Lekan Olanrewaju, Mustapha Kayode Abdulrasheed, Kayode Agbalaji and Andrew Enebeli.
HOF vs KPMG Nigeria
The day started on a lighter note, as Corporate Nigeria Hall of Famers took on KPMG in a Novelty Match. The match was reminiscent of old times as Corporate Nigeria Games all-time top scorer, AbdulRasheed Kayode also known as ‘The Legend’ gave the Hall of Famers an early lead 6 minutes into the game. The Legend also doubled his team’s tally from the penalty spot after Andrew Enebeli was brought down in the penalty area.
KPMG grew into the game as they searched for a way back and got a goal in the second half through an exquisite chipped-effort from their striker Busayo Olomolaye.
The match ended 2-1 to the Hall of Famers.
THIRD-PLACE MATCH: FCMB vs Union Bank
The main event began with the third place match which saw FCMB go up against Union Bank. The match was a close affair as both teams launched attack after attack but both defences proved difficult to breakdown and the game remained goalless going into the break. In the second half Union Back pilled on the pressure as they looked to break the deadlock but were unable to convert any of their chances. The only goal of the game came from a set-piece, which was whipped in by Opatoki Emmanuel and was finished by Nsikak Ekanem who scored with a towering header, which ultimately won FCMB the bronze medal.
FINAL MATCH: UBA vs FIDELITY BANK
The highly anticipated final of the football event saw two of the more successful teams in the Nigeria Bankers Games, UBA and Fidelity Bank, lock horns for the title. Fidelity Bank were looking for a fourth consecutive victory in the finals while UBA were looking to clinch their sixth football title. The match produced a lot of free flowing attacking football as both which kept fans on the edge of their seats. UBA had a second half goal rightly disallowed when Umar Ahmed latched onto a through ball from an offside position and put the ball past the outrushing goalkeeper. The game winner came from the player of the tournament – Samir Bello, who capitalised on a defensive slumber to put his team ahead in the dying minutes of the game. The goal was golden enough to hand UBA the gold medal.
ATHLETICS
The finals of the athletics event also took place on the day with contingents taking to the track to battle for a total of 6 gold medals. In the 100 metres races, the male category showcased a very close race as Alaekwe Chidozie (Sterling Bank) claimed the gold medal, Okeowo Adebayo (Fidelity Bank) claimed the silver medal and Oshungade Omoniyi (Union Bank) claimed the bronze medal. In the female category, Sharon John-Akachi (Fidelity Bank) claimed gold, Taiwo Olufunke (Sterling Bank) claimed the silver and Hall of Famer- Vivian Ezenwoko (Fidelity Bank) claimed the bronze medal.
In the 200 metre races, Mujeeb Oguntowo won gold for Stanbic IBTC, Okeowo Adebayo won another silver medal for Fidelity Bank and Oshungade Omoniyi won a second bronze medal for Union Bank. In the female category, Kodoye Ayakuralere won gold for UBA, Efunniyi Pelumi won silver for UBA and Claire Alonge of Fidelity won the bronze medal.
In the 4×100 metre relay races, Sterling Bank claimed gold in the female event with Fidelity Bank and Union bank claiming silver and bronze respectively while in the male category UBA won the gold medal while Sterling Bank and Union Bank won the silver and bronze medals respectively.
AWARDS
Individual awards were also handed to deserving athletes for their performances over the span of the games:
- Best Goalkeeper – Samuel Ugim (Fidelity Bank)
- Best Defender – Mohammed Mijinyawa (UBA)
- Best Midfielder – Opeyemi Ayandeko (FCMB)
- Highest Goalscorer – Victor Jideonwo (Fidelity Bank) (4 goals)
- Football MVP – Samir Bello.
While the award for the Best Overall Athlete went to Alli Chidebere of Fidelity bank who won 3 gold medals in Tennis singles, doubles and mixed doubles, most of any participant this year.
ALL- STAR TEAM
This year a football all-star team was also selected and it consisted of players who had performed outstandingly over the course of the tournament. The individuals who made the line-up were all presented with gold medals to commemorate their selection into the team.
Find below the dream team:
Please see below for final updated medal table:
The spectators were not left out of the fun as there were different activities lined up for their fun and entertainment and also to give them chances to win prizes. Between the raffle draw and fastest fingers spectators walked away with a variety of prizes.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
