ASPMDA President (2nd from Left) with other officials including Chucorl far Right marching into the field for the official kick off of ASPMA 2025 league championship (All Photos by Business Hilights)
It was the height of excitement yesterday at the Firstbank Sports Stadium in Satellite Town of Lagos as the 2025 ASPMDA Geopolitical Football League Championship kicked off between Abia FC and OAU FC ending with a goalless draw.
However, inline with the special rules of the League as approved by the Local Organising Committee (LOC), at the end of every match, there shall be an 11-11 penalty kicks by both teams; the result of which will be added to the any goals scored by any team during regulation time.
In that of the opening match, the game ended without goals and even upon the penalties, each team scored 8 goals which ended the match with a draw.
Speaking in an interview with Business Hilights, the ASPMDA President, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, who performed the official kick off before the commencement of the game, said “The game was very interesting. Both sides played very well and also entertained everybody.
“However, I have to give special kudos to the sponsor of the tournament, ASPMDA Sports Ambassador, Skipper of Abia FC, Chief Oliver Jacob (Chucorl), who opened scoring for his side in the penalties. He is a very good player any time any day.
On the importance of the championship, he explained that “We ASPMDAians use the championship to entertain ourselves and also haunt for talents we can either send to the national team or abroad for professional football.
“ASPMDA Geopolitical Football Championship powered by Chief Jacob has remained one of the strongest unifying factors in the complex and all of are happy to associate with the competition. We are using the competition to discover talents that may either play for the nation or even go abroad to play football.
“Besides, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So we are here to do sports and keep our body and soul together even as we do our trade.
Also speaking in a telephone interview last night, Chief Jacob said “He has been sponsoring the championship for several years as part of his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to ASPMDA and Nigeria in general. Am happy that the tournament is still doing well every year.
Continuing, Chucorl noted that “The championship is to keep the body and soul together as brothers and it helps us get more unified as one people in ASPMDA.
The championship continues next Monday for the second match in the league format tournament for ASPMDA members.
Among leading top ASPMDA officials at the kick off included the Financial Secretary, Chief Iyke, High Chief Nonso Okafor (Akusinachi Nnobi) and others.
