The latter stages of the 2018 Nigeria Bankers Games began over the weekend with the quarter final round of football and the final stages of the tennis and indoor events. Athletes from the participating banks brought their A-game as a lot of medals were up for grabs.
The presence of dignitaries and fans who came out to cheer on their colleagues made it a memorable weekend. Among the executives in attendance we had –
- Atilade Adeyinka – Team Lead – IT Budget and Control Management (FCMB)
- Corporate Nigeria Hall of Famers; Eric Iruh, Theo Amadi, Segun Babatunde and Vivian Ezenwoko.
TENNIS
The tennis event which began on Sunday, 4th November and climaxed on Sunday, 11th November at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Marina, Lagos. This edition saw the inclusion on the mixed doubles category.
In the male singles category, reigning champion – Peter Matthew of First Bank made it all the way to the finals where he faced off a stern opposition in Aliu Lateef of Sterling Bank. Aliu Lateef has been a domineering force in the male’s event for years. Peter was however able to overcome his opponent – Aliu Lateef to retain his crown. Ladejobi Babatunde of Union Bank and Olayinka Olowundare of FCMB had a good fight at the lawn and claimed the bronze medals.
In the men’s doubles category, it was a repeat of the 2017 finals as Muyiwa Ebitanmi /Aderele Ladejobi of Union Bank faced Aliu Lateef/Atilola Shina of Sterling Bank in the battle for the gold medal. This time however, the Sterling Bank pair proved too strong as they avenged their 2017 – loss and reclaimed the gold medal. Harrison Ilodigwe/Eruemegbe Ahmed of Union Bank with Peter Matthew/Ayodele Olaleye of First Bank claimed bronze medals for their performance on the court.
In the female singles category, Ogechi Iheanacho of Fidelity Bank faced the lady who broke her dominance in the tennis event – Ali Chidebere also of Fidelity Bank in yet another exciting and anticipated finals. It was not to be as Ali Chidebere came out victorious once again to retain her title and prove to be the new queen of the court. Gloria Obiageli and Oluwatoyin Solano both of Union Bank claimed the bronze medals.
In the doubles category, reigning champions and singles finalist – Ogechi Iheanacho and Ali Chidebere paired together to retain the doubles crown defeating their opponents Gloria Obiageli and Oluwatoyin Solano – Union Bank in a repeat of the 2017 finals. The Sterling Bank pairings of Casandra Obioha/Doyinsola Ola and Mariam Ali/Olayinka Adams all claimed bronze medals.
For the first time in the history of the Nigeria Bankers Games, the mixed doubles category was played. The queen of the Court paired with Kadeyi Okon of Fidelity Bank defeated the Sterling Bank’s pair of Atilola Shina and Olayinka Adams to claim the first ever mixed doubles gold medal.
Bronze medals were won by Aderele Ladejobi/Oluwatoyin Solano of Union Bank and Aliu Lateef/Mariam Ali of Sterling Bank.
TABLE TENNIS
The table tennis event was setup for an exciting end as participants went head-to-head in the final rounds. In the male singles category, Frederick Rekuoya of Sterling Bank, who had been a dominating the event reclaimed his title, defeating Akinwale Omotoye of FMCB, to claim gold after finishing in 3rd place at the 2017 edition. Femi Ayeni of First Bank and FCMB’s Sunday Adebayo both finished joint third.
In the doubles event it was a repeat of the 2017 finals as Solomon Idowu and Femi Ayeni of First Bank took on Sterling Bank’s Odunbaku Saburi and Frederick Rekuoya. The First Bank pair retained the gold medal defeating Sterling Bank who finished as runners-up while FCMB claimed both bronze positions with the pairings of Faremi Owolabi & Akinwale Omotoye and Sunday Adebayo & Kehinde Odegbile.
In the female category, Fidelity Bank dominated the final stages with all their four representatives reaching the semi-finals. The quartet of Judith Achonye, Funmi Adesanya, Omuwa Afolabi and Olayemi Okam ensured it will be an all Fidelity affair on the podium. Last year’s runner-up Funmi Adesanya shocked her opponent and 2017 champion – Judith Achonye to claim the gold medal. Judith Achonye had been the gold medallist for the past 3 editions. Olayemi Okam and Omuwa Afolabi settled for bronze medals.
In the doubles category, the ladies of Fidelity Bank also dominated the category with both of their teams meeting in the final. 2017 champions Judith Achonye and Funmi Adesanya made it back to back gold medals after defeating Olayemi Okam and Omuwa Afolabi. Union Bank’s Awolesi Taiwo and Ajayi Abimbola and First Bank’s Serah Biliaminu and Agbetomuloye Folashade all claimed bronze medals.
CHESS
The Chess event was played as a team event as each bank was represented by teams of 4 participants. In the female category, UBA claimed the gold medal with Fidelity Bank claiming silver and Union Bank taking home the bronze medal.
In the Male Category, Union Bank who have been champions for the last 2 seasons, claimed the gold medal for the third year running while First Bank and Fidelity Bank claimed silver and bronze respectively.
SCRABBLE
In the Scrabble event, Stanbic IBTC’s Olatokunbo Olowu claimed the gold medal in the male category while Bright Uzu and Adebowale Ajani both of Sterling Bank claimed the silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the female category, Union Bank’s Dijeh Anne won the gold medal while Joy Agbadu of Keystone Bank claimed silver and Grace Idowu of First Bank came in third.
FOOTBALL
Fidelity Bank vs Keystone Bank
It was the start of the knock out stages in the football event which witnessed four matches in the quarter finals. The first quarter final game saw title holders Fidelity Bank take on Keystone Bank. Fidelity Bank started the game on the right note grabbing an early goal through Victor Jideonwo in the 5th minute of the game. Keystone Bank did try to impose themselves on the game creating a few chances but were unable to convert any. In the 27th minute of the game Victor Jideonwo scored his second to guarantee Fidelity’s spot in the Semi-finals.
FCMB vs Sterling Bank
2008 Football Champions – FCMB took on 2016 Semi Finalist – Sterling Bank in the second match. In the opening minute of the game FCMB got the opener through a penalty which was converted by the fouled Ekanem Nsikak. FCMB’s second came from an in-swinging corner kick, Nsikak rose highest to convert the chance with a powerful header.
Sterling Bank were later awarded a penalty but Elijah Ashafa was up to the task as he saved the spot kick and kept his clean sheet intact. Down the other end of the field FCMB earned a penalty when Nsikak was brought down in the box for the second time in the game. The striker converted from the spot to complete his hat-trick.
Union Bank vs Stanbic IBTC
In the third match of the day, Union Bank took on Stanbic IBTC. Union Bank were on course to secure a semi-final spot for the first time when Bitrus Solomon converted from close range. Stanbic IBTC were awarded a penalty when Mujeeb Oguntowo collided with the goalkeeper Olufemi Owolabi. Wole Oluduro stepped up and converted the spot kick. The game ended 1-all and went to penalties where Union Bank triumphed 4-3.
UBA VS First Bank
5-time champions – UBA and First Bank battled for the final semi-finals spot, both teams are perennial semi-finalists with First bank winning Silver for 3 consecutive seasons, while UBA also made it to the semi-finals last season. UBA got the opening goal of the game in the second half when Kabir Dauda played Agada Emmauel through on goal, Agada rounded the goalkeeper picked his spot and slotted into the open net. First Bank got a late equalizer through a deflected Theophilus Igberease free kick. The match was decided through the lottery of penalties which UBA won 4-2.
Spectators Engagement
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, basketball games and fastest fingers spectators walked away with a variety of prizes.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
