Emmanuel lkpeama
Ejigbo, Nigeria – In a nail-biting final,Rainbow FC on Sunday 14, December 2025,emerged victorious in the Ailegun Youth Football Competition,defeating TAT FC 1-0 in a match that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
The tournament, organized by Councilor representing Ailegun ward,Hon Ifatumise Adedoyin Adefioye, brought together young talents from across the ward showcasing their skills and sportsmanship.
The Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA,Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo who was ably represented by one of his aide, Alhaji Taiwo Rahman and Hon Ogunleye Abuga, praised the councilor for her commitment to youth development and sports, stating that the competition aligned with his administration’s seven-point agenda of promoting education with sports and youth engagement
Aare TAT in his remarks stated that he is thrilled to see the youths excel in sports and other areas of endeavor.
He noted that the tournament organized by Hon Ifatumise has showcased the immense talent and potential of the young people,and he is committed to continuing to support and promote youth development in Ejigbo.
“As a government, we believe that sports can be a powerful tool for social change and economic empowerment, and we will continue to invest in initiatives that promote youth engagement and sports development.”
“I congratulate Rainbow FC and TAT FC for getting to the final, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. I also commend Councilor Adefioye for her dedication to youth development and her vision for a brighter future for our young people.” he said
The councilor, Hon Ifatumise Adedoyin Adefioye, described the tournament as “epic” and stressed the need to continue engaging youths through sports.
She thanked the local organizers committee, led by Prince Arowooye Abdulrahman, for putting up a good game.
Lending his voice,the Councilor representing Aigbaika ward, Hon Taiwo Idowu who is among the team that represented the Executive Chairman described the event as “really fantastic and remarkable, thanked the Councilor for Ailegun ward for intervening in sport development, praying that God will continue to strengthen her to do more for the youths of Ailegun.
Hon Idowu opined that such competition would be replicated in his ward after the Chairman’s cup slated for January 2026.
Also,the Ward Chairman for Ailegun ward, Prince Babatunde Adefioye said that the competition was designed to support the well-being and engagement of the youths despite socio-economic challenges.
“This is a tactical and strategic way of diverting the attention of our young people away from wrongdoings. So, this is an opportunity to actually unleash the inherent potential in our young people.
“There’s no better way, or better avenue, to catch them young, to get the best talent out, than in competitions like this,”Prince Babatunde said.
He appreciated the Councilor for following the path of the Executive Chairman in youth development, while urging the players to strive hard for a better future.
Speaking with newsmen after the first half,Aare TAT newsmen,noted that he had been following the matches and display of skills of the players as the nature of his job didn’t allow him to participate physically.
“We have discovered a lot of talents from the blow of the first whistle in this tournament. We are going to have more talents today ”
“I congratulate the winners to be and the runner up for their sportsmanship and show of professionalism.
“My special commendation also goes to the match officials and supporters of the teams for comporting themselves in a dignifying manner throughout the competition regardless the outcome of each match”
Investigator news reports that the competition saw several talented players, with Rainbow FC’s jersey number 4 scoring the only goal of the match in the 28th minute.
A large turnout of sports enthusiasts within and outside Ailegun ward gathered at Pink Street as the match delivered a pulsating and entertaining event that was similar to what’s obtainable in an European UEFA Champions League final.
TAT FC tried to stage a comeback in the second half but was thwarted by the Rainbow FC defense.
The organizers presented cash prizes to the winners, including N200,000 to Rainbow FC, N100,000 to TAT FC, and N50,000 to Sir Cosmos, who took third place.
Speaking with newsmen after the competition,Hon Adedoyin Adefioye described the tournament as an ‘epic one’, while stressing the need to keep engaging the youth.
She thanked the local organizers committee (LOC) led by Prince Arowooye Abdulrahman for putting up a good game.
The Local Organizing Committee Chairman Prince Arowooye Abdulrahman stated that the essence of the football youth tournament is to bring the youths together and showcase their skills and expressing themselves for future endeavours.
He applauded the youthful councilor for recognizing the importance of the youths in the ward, noting that the Councilor deem it fit in giving the youths a voice through sports and other youth engagement.
Prince Abdulramah used the occasion to appreciate the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA,Aare TAT for his love, passion and programs for the youths of Ailegun ward and Ejigbo LCDA in general.
With the referee, Olaleye Taoyyib blowing the final whistle at around 4:30pm, fans of the luckiest team of the day – Rainbow FC took over the field in jubilation of their team’s triumph to rejoice with the players and team officials.
The third-place match was given to Sir Cosmos following the unruly behavior of Olusumande during with TAT FC in the Semi final game and were disqualified by the organizers.
Investigator news gathered that during the Semi final, Rainbow FC defeated Sir Cosmas by 5:1, while TAT defeated Olusumande by 1:0.
The Coach of the Rainbow FC, said that the victory was not a surprise as the team had been on a winning streak even outside the local government.
The Coach of TAT FC said, “Nothing went wrong with our side, we lost to a better tactical team. Their tactics and cohesion are more than our own.”
The event was hailed as a huge success, with attendees praising the organizers for promoting youth development and sports in the local government.
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