ACCESS WARRIOR MAKE FLYING START TO THE 2023 NIGERIA BANKERS GAMES
On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the much-awaited 2023 edition of the Nigeria Bankers Games got underway at the University of Lagos Sports Complex in Akoka in style.
Top bank executives graced the NBG inaugural ceremony amongst many others are;
- Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank
- Kolawole Amusa, FCMB’s Group Head for HR Services
- Tunde Olokode, FCMB’s Head of Employee Services
Novelty Match
A novelty match between Credit Direct Ltd. and BUA Group kicked off the day. The match ended with Credit Direct winning by a lone goal scored in the second half of the match.
Opening Ceremony
Every participating bank was represented with magnificent and bright clothing during the ceremonial march past, which also served as the first medaling event. While vying for the first medal of the 2023 NBG, the contingents gave it their all.
Following the contingent’s stunning performances, the teams were evaluated according to the following criteria: size of the contingent, costumes, routine/performance, and crowd reactions.
A group of visually striking cheerleaders and platoon men and women who executed a uniform routine while dressed in matching attire ignited the touch for the participating banks.
Access Bank ultimately finished first in the March Past Table and took home the first gold medal of the competition. Sterling Bank and WEMA came in second and third, respectively.
Match 1
The DEBUTANTS – Access Bank Plc fought alongside the unquestionable FCMB “My Bank and I” guys.
With three shots on goal in the first fifteen minutes of the match, FCMB got off to a great start and continuously had the Access Bank defense on their toes, but they were unable to convert those beautiful opportunities. In the 17th minute of play, Segun Bello’s well-taken penalty for handling the ball in the 18-yard area by an FCMB defender gave the Access Warriors the lead in the 2023 NBG score line.
The Access Bank squad neutralized every attempt by the FCMB team to reenter the game, guaranteeing the debutant a successful NBG 2023. The game was over.
The match ended with a goal to nil in favor of Access Bank.
MVP – SEGUN BELLO
Match 2
The NBG 2022 Fair Play Award winner faced the reigning champions, Sterling Jet, in the second match of the day. The two teams met in the previous NBG, where the defending champions were eager to start their championship defense with a victory.
The 20th edition Golden Boot Winner, Eze Odinaka Philemon, began the score line for the Sterling Jets in the third minute. He doubled their lead fifteen minutes later, and in the 34th minute, Jones Idowu completed the score to guarantee a maximum of three points for the reigning champion. The Sterling Jets prevailed 0–3 in the game.
MVP – OMOLE AYOMIKUN SAMUEL
Spectators Engagement
The fans were not left out of the fun as they were part of the halftime event. The spectators had a fill-the-bottle competition with both male and female participating.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
