ASPMDA President, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe in a handshake with the sponsor of ASPMDA champions league and Captain of Abia FC, who is also the ASPMDA Sports Ambassador, Chief Oliver Jacob (Chucorl) before the 2025 season kick off
More details have emerged on why leading business mogul and international business giant, who doubles as the chairman of Chucorl Nigeria Limited, Chief Oliver Jacob will continue to sponsor the annual ASPMDA Geopolitical Football Champions League at the Lagos International Trade Fair complex.
Speaking with Business Hilights Publisher, Prince Stan Okenwa in his Office on Tuesday, he averred that he derives joy in encouraging sports and football in particular in the market.
He said “ASPMDA has named him the Sports Ambassador and it’s been quite long since I started it. It is played like champions league. The players are all from different states in the market including non-traders like banking officials that their branches are within ASPMDA market.”
Continuing, Chucorl, who doubles as the Captain of his Club, Abia FC of ASPMDA, revealed that “The champions of the tournament go home with a handsome amount of money and I spend over N4.5m in bankrolling the champions’ league yearly in the market.
Major parts of the sponsorship included donation of sports kits for all competing clubs in the Geopolitical zones of ASPMDA. I buy balls, jerseys and all needed logistics both for their trainings and match day protocols.
Giving a brief history of how it started, Chief Jacob averred that “At the very beginning, we were allowing none ASPMDA members from any place in Lagos to come and play. But in the last few years, we have restricted players to only ASPMDA members and anybody doing business here in ASPMDA. There is a Zenith Bank staff that is playing for Abia FC.
“Talking about the Prize money to be won this year, first of all let me point out the qualifications. The players participating are all from 45 years and above.
“So, we may enjoy the ball as matured men. You know, we don’t have the strength of the youth so we made it that way. So the first prize is N500k; second is N400k; and the third is N300k.
“No just the prize. You know by the performance of the team, we can give them some additional money if they were exceptional you know. I even sponsored the whole kits for the whole teams.
Chucorl further revealed that the championship format allows for 14 clubs to compete.
“The teams are all 14 in number. I will like them to all play a good and fair game. Well, they are cards in case of foul play. You the system of the ball is smooth. We don’t expect much rough play. We just want to have fun.
On any plan to stop sponsoring the tournament, he recalled that some years ago, some pretenders came in to drag the sponsorship but ran away when they noticed the real cost. But I as a sports lover, summoned courage to take it up again.
“I can say that it depends on the availability of funds for the sponsorship. As far as there is enough, Chucorl will continue.
According to him, the tournament has become a household thing in ASPMDA and it gives everyone joy to partake and watch. So, we will continue to drive it for the benefit of everyone in ASPMDA and beyond.
It would be recalled that currently, this years ASPMDA Geopolitical Champions League is ongoing at FirstBank Sports Field in Satellite Town, Lagos State and attendance is free for every sports lovers whether ASPMDA member or not. Its free.
