NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel Holds 3-Day Football Fiesta

The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council has concluded plans for a 3-Day football tournament between media practitioners, government organizations and security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The participating teams include the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Police Force, Federal High Court, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Others are the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and NUJ FCT, Correspondents Chapel.

Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel NUJ, Abuja Council, who announced this while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said the tournament is scheduled to hold from Thursday 3rd through Saturday August 5, 2023 at 10:00 am each day at the Area 10, Garki District Football Pitch, Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

Oyekunle explained that the 3-day tournament is not tailored to make winning the overall aim but to boost and strengthen relationships among the participating organizations in the interest of the country.

Oyekunle said that the climax of the tournament will witness the ceremonial presentation of trophy and medals to the winning team on Saturday, August 5th by 10:00 am when the final match will be played.

He also said that the event will attract dignitaries, captains of industries, government officials and football lovers and enthusiasts from all walks of life including the representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

According to Oyekunle; “Sports does not have a language. Sports are integral activity that unite people and possess the power to change the world, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political background.

“In the course of carrying out our statutory responsibilities, we cross each other’s’ paths by commission or omission, which at times may have resulted in misunderstanding and bickering.

“There is a need to bridge the gap and align our interests irrespective of our profession for the purpose of making the country a place where love and peace reign supreme.

“All the organizations taking part in this tournament should remember that we are all stakeholders in the Nigeria project and we are all working for the same purpose but in different ways. We should therefore relate to each other as partners in progress rather than as adversaries.

“A Nigeria that works is in the interest of every Nigerian, irrespective of vocation or occupation. Let us, therefore, use this tournament to inspire, forge friendships and build respect among ourselves,” Oyekunle said.

He urged governments at all levels to leverage sports, especially football to embark on a fence-mending mission across the country with the view to heal the emotional and psychological wounds of Nigerians in the interest of peace, national unity and integration.

Oyekunle further said; “We consider football as a unifying factor that speaks the language of everybody that can provide much-needed reconciliation and peace, particularly at this critical time”.

The NUJ Correspondents Chairman urged participating organizations to exhibit true spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition and ensure fair play and go for the ball and not the leg.

“We urge you to reflect on the objectives of the competition and work hard to ensure that the aim is not defeated because the Olympic game is not to win but to participate.

“For us at Nigeria Union of Journalists this tournament will also enhance our physical and mental alertness and wellbeing and we would play the tournament and win.

“From this maiden edition, we hope to make this tournament an annual event and also increase the number of participating organizations and ensure that it grows bigger and better every year.

“We appreciate all corporate organisations who have decided to sponsor and make the maiden edition of the tournament a huge success. We equally salute our colleagues for partnering with us to boost the publicity for the tournament,” he said.

Oyekunle said that the tournament is being sponsored by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq., Managing Partner, Law Corridor, TI’ Bilon Construction, Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd, OrderPaper, A New Thing International Foundation, Red Cross, FCT FA, FCTA, Hypeplug, GMW Insurance Brokers Ltd., And TI’ Bilon Healthcare Foundation.