Hockey family/ stakeholders honour Dapo Sotuminu
It was a gathering of who is who in Nigeria Hockey on Saturday 14 December 2024, as stakeholders converged at the Legacy pitch, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos to honour our late brother, friend and colleague, late Mr. Adedapo Olusanya Sotuminu with a Championship
Organized by ENDYFAS.
Veterans of the noble Sport of hockey defiled all other engagements and trooped out enmass to pay their last respect to a man that has always identified himself with them over the years.
The roll call include, Messrs,Walter Imoedemhe,.Isibor Emmanuel,
Ayo Ladeinde, Sunday Kaze and Folarin Jaiyeola among others while the former Director of Sports in charge of the Lagos Liaison office of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development now renamed National Sports Commission, Alhaji Bode Durotoye and former President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Dr. Akin Adeyemi were also present.
In his address at the occasion, Folarin Jaiyeola described late Adedapo Olusanya Sotuminu as a brother and friend as well as an iconic sports journalist whose passage came to them as a rude shock.
He said the hockey family will continue to remember him as a friend and brother hence the reason for the championship to immortalize him; adding that the championship will be institutionalized as an annual event in honour of late Dapo Sotiminu. According to him, the event will also go side by side with an award to be named after late Dapo Sotiminu.
Jaiyeola while rounding up his speach, prayed to the Almighty God to grant the soul of Mr. Adedapo Olusanya Sotimumu a perfect resting place in His Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Flickers surpassed all odds to emerge champions of the competition when they defeated Bago Boys 2-1 in the final to win the ENDYFAS 2024 end of the year Championship in honour of late Dapo Sotiminu while Angso Queens defeated Black Beret ladies to emerge the women champions.
Henry Babalola won the Most Valuable player of the tournament award while Rasaq Olaitan emerged as the highest goal scorer. Ajibola Wale won the best defender award while Tola Odedokun was adjusted as the best midfielder.
Agbefo Kehinde won the men’s Young Promising player award which was instituted in honour of late Dapo Sotiminu while Olaitan Amina emerged as the women’s young promising player to cart home the award.
A total of twelve teams comprising ten males and two female club sides took part in the one day exercise held at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The participated clubs include,
the Field Marshals coached by Mr. Freeman, Bago Boys, Prime Stars,, Young Stars, Premium Stars, Ondo Flickers, Indomitable, Sunshine Flickers, Kenroy and Gazaanfar while Black Beret and Angso Queens (the two female clubs ) completes the teams.
