By Cleopatra Eki
To promote female football tournament in Africa, Donik Sports Academy hosted its inaugural girls football tournament tagged Dynamite Community Cup (#DCC2022) recently.
This was in line with promoting grassroots football among young girls between the ages of 13-18 years. The event which held at Halifield schools Mende – Maryland, Lagos, included an educational Session on self-awareness, girl child trafficking and the main Football tournament showcase which ran from 9am – 4 pm.
Speaking at the tournament, Donald Okon – Sporting Director of the academy, disclosed that the major goal of the Dynamite Community Cup by Donik Sports was to encourage young female football players at the grassroots level in Africa, by providing them with the resources they need to advance in the sport and life.
Morris Etatuvie – Director of Operations, Donik Sports said that such event can only be achieved by collaborating with community-based coaches/leaders of youth and sport clubs.
He appealed to parents and stakeholders to support girls with sports potential and talents, to impact the community and promote an environment where girls feel safe, have fun, and learn.
Etatuvie revealed that the initiative was a one-of-its-kind tournament that featured both a seminar session and a 6-A-Side football competition.
The 6-A-Side tournament featured some of the best grassroots girl’s football teams in the Ikorodu and Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The 6 selected teams competing for the tournament were Dominion Queens FC, Ghetto Tiger Ladies, Royaltoms Queens, Young Achievers Queens FA, United Squad Angels, and Better Tomorrow FA.
The competition set up two groups in a point system, with the winners of each group advancing directly to the finals. Everyone was on their feet as Royaltoms Queens and Young Achievers Queens FA battled it out for the first place, with Royaltoms Queens emerging winners of the Dynamite Community Cup 2022 (#DCC2022) at the finals.
Iwuoha Chinelo of Royaltoms Queens was bestowed the Most Valuable Player Award and the Highest Goal Scorer Award with 4 goals in 3 matches.
The high point of the tournament was the distribution of health care packages and awards to all 60 participants from Donik Sports and its partners with trophies and cash prizes to the finalist. Mrs. Mariam Akinrinmade, the administrator of Halifield Schools Lagos (Gold Partner), and Mr. Paul Maigari, Chief Executive Officer Yoro Media Group (Gold Partner), made special presentations for outstanding performance.
During the educational session, Ejiro Okotie, founder Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth, spoke to the girls on “Self-Awareness and Health/Hygiene,” She took them through the journey of self-discovery, how they can know their personalities, strength and weaknesses and use it to impact the world positively.
Okotie also cautioned them against sex harassment bulling by peers, society, superior authorities and gave them tips on personal hygiene and mental health.
Akpotobore Abigail Enai, founder Abigail Enai Foundation, spoke on “Trafficking and the “Japa Syndrome.” Both of these topics were very educative and resonated with the girls as they took part in the discussion.
Mrs Abigail, urged them to look out for red flags, talk to trusted and reliable persons before travelling, or before they embark on any foreign journey or offer, and report to Nigerian Embassy for help if stranded abroad.
Donik Sports appreciated coaches of the participanting teams for their dedication to promoting grassroot football amongst girls. These coaches included: United Squad Angels – Coach Angel E. Jombo. Young Achievers Queens Football Academy – Coach Totulope Adeyemi. Royaltoms Queens – Coach Olajide Royal. Ghetto Tigers – Coach Azeez Mustapha. Better Tomorrow FA – Coach Bello Moshood Abiola and Dominion FC – Emoefe Joseph Ogheneovo.
The team also appreciated all stakeholders, friends and families for supporting the event.
Donik Sports is a reputable Sports Company with more than five years of experience in Dubai and Lagos; with internationally trained coaches who offer “In-school” sport-club training to schools, holiday camps, and corporate team building-sporting events to organizations.
Donik Sports relies on corporate sponsorship and donations from private individuals.
