Ratel Foundation honors Tolulope Arotile, Ukaigbe, Others at 2021 Flying Officers Cup final

The 2021 Ratels Sports Development Foundation Heroes Awards will hold on Sunday, 24th October, 2021 at the Area 10 Sports Complex Abuja. The prestigious Awards will witness the decorations of Nigeria women football heroes as put together by the Organisers of this year's Flying Officers Cup.

The distinguished awards would be handed over to individuals who have in a long way impacted the world of women football in the country and have commanded untainted characters which has portrayed them as icons.

Eigth different categories have been earmarked for the awards which takes place simultaneously with the final match between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens. The categories are:

Post-humous Award, Life Time Achievement Award, Heroic Icon of the Year, Grassroots Women Football Icon of the Year, RSDF Gallantary Star Award, Women Football Promoter of the Year, Women Football Pioneer Award and Role Model Coach Award.

Four people were remembered and honoured in the Posthumous Awards category:

Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile: The first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigeria Air Force. She contributed significantly to combat operations against insecurity in the northern states of Nigeria. Arotile died from a head injury sustained in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base.

Henrietta Ukaigwe: She was a veteran sports journalist cum women’s football promoter. Started FFIG – Female Football Interest Group comprising individuals, who actively promoted and energetically projected the women’s game and made it an item of consequence in the media and public space across the nation from the nineties. This group did not only report the game; it coalesced efforts and resources to organize women’s football tournaments and provided much-needed stout and meaningful support to administrators at that incipient stage.

Chief Larry Eze: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Larry Angels, It should be noted that Larry Angels and the likes of Rivers Mermaids metamorphosed to Rivers Angels in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership.

Chief Sunny Eghaghe Inneh: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Inneh Babes. Inneh babes metamorphosed to Edo Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Chioma Ajunwa: Former athlete, notable for being the first Nigerian to win gold at 1996 summer Olympics. The first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She remains only woman to compete at the FIFA world cup both  as a footballer and the Olympics as a track and field athlete.

She is now an assistant commissioner of Police.

Princesses Bola Jegede: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria played a pivotal role in Organizing the first women Inter-club competition in Nigeria in 1990. The establishment of her female football Club, Jegede Babes in the late 1980s culminated in the establishment of other female football Clubs in the country producing players for the nascent Super Falcons squad to the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991.

Ismaila Mabo: He was the head coach of the Nigeria women’s national team at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics. He led Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the team’s best ever result

Eddington Kujebola: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Ufuoma Babes of warri. Notable players for Ufuoma Babes were Florence Omagbemi, Mavis Ogun, Patience Avre, Uche Eucharia, Mercy Akide, Omo Love Branch, Nkiru Okieseme, Florence Iweta, Phoebe Ebimienkumo, etc.

Alhaja Ayo Omidiran: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of Omidiran babes, which left the football scene but are now back. She became a member of the Nigerian Football Association Board and remained there till 2005. Since 2006, she has been a member of the FIFA Women Committee.

Other Awards Include:

Heroic Icon Of The Year: Leah Shuiabu.

Women Football Promoter of the year: Phillip Shuiabu.

Women Football Grassroots Icon of the year: Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

Women Football Trailblazer of the year: Aisha Falode.

Recall, Ratels Sports Development Foundation had earlier unveiled some great personalities at the draws of the tournament, and they are expected to be decorated for their astounding contributions to the women football development in Nigeria all along.

Flying Officers Cup 21 Final : 'Everyone Is In A Competitive Mood' - FC Robo Queens Players Talk Tough

FC Robo Queens player are high in spirit ahead of the final game of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup with Edo Queens on Sunday.

Folashade Ijamilusi and Lawal Taiwo exuded confidence in the team's resolve to return to Lagos with the trophy. 

"We are very happy and in good mood heading into tomorrow's final match. This is our first time playing at this tournament and to get to the final in our first attempt meant a lot to us Individually, as players and the coaching crew. I am very excited with the feat.

"We are on a revenge mission as we have played Edo Queens on several occasions last season and during the pre season. For sure, tomorrow's game will be a win for FC Robo Queens to avenge our recent defeat to Edo Queens in the third place match of Betsy Obaseki Women's Football Tournament. Before the kick off of this tournament, our believe have always been to win the tournament, even from Benin, we know that our main aim is to win this tournament." Says Folashade Ijamilusi. 

Lawal Taiwo on her part opined that the most important thing is for FC Robo Queens to break Edo Queens defence which is yet to concede any goal after five games.

She said: "By the grace of God, I will work towards scoring tomorrow to help me team win the trophy. The most important thing for the team is to win and I am optimistic that we are going to win the final game. We have been preparing well towards the game.

"We have played Edo Queens before now and have beaten them and we will surely win tomorrow's game in similar manner. Records are meant to be broken. The fact that Edo Queens are yet to concede a goal after five matches don't mean that we won't score them in the final. We will work towards beaking their defence to score and win them."

Essien Marylene who has also scored two goals alongside Folashade Ijamilusi and Lawal Taiwo also showed optimism that FC Robo Queens will clinch the title.

"I didn't envisage it that I will score two goals at this tournament but I thank God for the two goals. For me, I know that we will win the game against Edo Queens. If I start the game or not, I will give my best to ensure that the team win the game.

"The feeling and experience with FC Robo during this my first assignment with the club has been great and one that I wasn't expecting. The team is an encouraging one that motivates players to give their best. They even give young players mind to play. When a player make mistake, the team correct the player to improve. The team is a very good team."

The final match of the Flying Officers Cup, will come up by 3pm on Sunday at the Area 10 Sports Complex and will be shown live by Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Radio Nigeria Network Service.

Flying Officers Cup 2021 Final: AIT, Radio Nigeria To Broadcast Game Live

Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Radio Nigeria Network Service will beam live the final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens, scheduled to hold Sunday, the 24th of October at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.  

This was revealed by the Ratels Sports Development Foundation President, Barrister Paul Edeh on Friday evening after the end of the two Semi-final games. 

Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), main sponsors of the pre-season championship in the build-up to the competition partnered with AIT as official broadcast partners for the Flying Officer’s Cup at a meeting held between the management team of the largest privately operated terrestrial television network, led by Anegbe Anthony Akiotu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Group Managing Director (GMD) and Ratels Sports Development Foundation, led by the President Barrister Paul Edeh. 

Edo Queens set a record by being the first club to qualify for two finals of the Flying Officers Cup. The 'Obaseki Ladies' were champions in 2019 and will be seeking to be Champions again when they face FC Robo Queens in the final on Sunday. 

FC Robo Queens on the other hand are participating in the tournament for the first time and would want to prove a point on Sunday too.

The closing ceremony of the competition will start at 1 pm, while the kick-off for the final match will start at 3 pm. Sixteen teams started the journey on the 10th of October.

Flying Officers Cup 21 XI to face AIT XI in honour of Raymond Dokpesi at 70

Flying Officers Cup 2021 best eleven will on Saturday, the 23rd of October 2021 play a novelty match with members and staff of Africa Independent Television (AIT) at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja today the 23rd day of October 2021 by 4 pm to honour and mark the 70th birthday of broadcast magnate and owner of the first independent Television station in Nigeria, (AIT), High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.  

President Of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh, who are the Organisers of Africa's biggest Pre-season Championship, the Flying Officers Cup, hinted that the epoch-making event will feature some of the best players at the ongoing Flying Officers Cup, carefully selected by a team of football experts headed by Falconets Assistant Coach, Moses Aduku and Flamingos Head Coach, Olowookeere Bankole.

"This novelty match is to honour and celebrate someone who has contributed immensely to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. It is  a token of our appreciation to him and the AIT Sports crew and we are glad that this will go a long way in showing our love and support to the man who has always been there in terms of providing thousands of jobs for Nigerians."

High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, a Nigerian Media Entrepreneur was born on the 25th of October 1951 in Ibadan and hails from Agenebode, Edo State. 

He owns Nigeria largest privately owned terrestrial television network (AIT) with stations in twenty-four out of thirty-six states in Nigeria.

The finals of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens will be beamed live by AIT on Sunday, 24th October 2021 by 3 pm.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Robo Queens, Edo Queens light up Final, to be shown live on AIT

 The stage is set for the final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after the conclusion of semi-final games on Friday.

FC Robo Queens in the first semi-final game defeated Osun Babes 2-0.

The Lagos Land-Ladies dominated the game before eventually finding the breakthrough in the 41st minute courtesy of Onyenezide Esther. 

Osun Babes in the second half searched for the equaliser as Bolaji Olamide's effort in the 63rd minute hit the woodwork.

The Omoluabi Queens created some chances in the second half but failed to convert while FC Robo Queens proved to be dangerous on the counter.

Osun Babes had a gilt-edge chance to equalise but Alvine Dah Zossu who had only the goalkeeper to beat put her effort wide in the 79th minute.

Two minutes later, FC Robo Queens doubled its lead as Folashade Ijamilusi converted the Lagos based side's second goal to lift them into the final on Sunday.

The second semi-final game was keenly contested and physical but Edo Queens had to rely on a late drama to be able to edge Confluence Queens 1-0.

The deciding goal of the game came in the 88th minute as Emem Essien headed in a cross for her fourth goal of the competition to take her to the top of the goal scorers chart.

Edo Queens remain the only team yet to concede a goal at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup while they are unbeaten alongside finalist, FC Robo Queens.

Osun Babes and Confluence Queens will play the third-place match on Sunday, October 24 before the final game between FC Robo Queens and Edo Queens.

The kick-off for the final game is 3 pm, while the third-place match will hold by 10 am at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

The final game will be telecast live on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Radio Nigeria Network Service.

| Semi-Final Results|

Osun Babes 0 FC Robo Queens 2

Edo Queens 1 Confluence Queens 0.

|FINAL| Sunday, 24th October 2021

Edo Queens Vs FC Robo Queens (3 pm)

| THIRD PLACE|

Osun Babes Vs Confluence Queens (10 am)

Flying Officers Cup 2021: The Last Four And Their Journey To Semi-Finals

The 2021 Flying Officers Cup has now reached the Semi-finals stage. Four teams are two matches away from winning the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa. 

Confluence Queens, Osun Babes, FC Robo Queens and Edo Queens will compete for a spot in the final, which will be shown live on TV.

Confluence Queens and FC Robo Queens have scored more goals that the other two teams in the Semi-finals. The two teams have recorded 10 goals each going into the semi's., While Edo Queens and Osun Babes have 8 and 5 goals respectively. 

The first Semi-finals fixture will be between Osun Babes and FC Robo Queens by 10am on friday morning at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja., While the other Semi final will see Edo Queens and Confluence Queens battle each other. It will be interesting to see whether Edo Queens undefeated run will continue or Confluence Queens, the top scorer in the tournament will establish its superiority.

|Osun Babes|

Osun Babes 2 - Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens 1

FC Robo Queens 1 - Osun Babes 1

Bayelsa Queens 0 Osun Babes 0

Q1: Osun Babes 2 Royal Queens 0. 

|Confluence Queens|

SGH Sports Academy Amazons 0 Confluence Queens 4

Confluence Queens 1 Sunshine Queens 0

WACO Ladies 0 Confluence Queens 4

Q2: Confluence Queens 1 Nasarawa Amazons 0

|FC Robo Queens| 

FC Robo Queens 1 Bayelsa Queens 0

FC Robo Queens 1 Osun Babes 1 

Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens 1 FC Robo Queens 6. 

Q3: FC Robo Queens 2 Naija Ratels 0. 

|Edo Queens FC| 

Nasarawa Amazons 0 Edo Queens 1

Lakeside Queens 0 Edo Queens 3

Edo Queens 3 Dannaz Ladies 0

Q4: Edo Queens 1 Sunshine Queens 0.

Federal House Of Reps Member Hails Organisers Of Flying Officers Cup Pre-season Championship.

Member Federal House of Representatives committee on Sports, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni has hailed the organisers of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, the Flying Officers Cup. 

Lawrence Ayeni who presently represents the Ilesha Federal Constituency 1(Osun State) in the Federal House Of Representatives was present at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja on Wednesday, was impressed at what he saw, in terms of the organisation of the tournament. 

The former Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, said that the feat achieved by the Organisers in successfully organising the tournament was timely and would help spring out more development in women's football in Nigeria.

"I am impressed with what I saw at the Area 10 Sports Complex. It is very difficult to see a Nigerian put so much into the development of women's football. 

"As a lover of football myself and one who has invested into the game, I know how far the Organisers must have gone in bringing about 16 teams to participate, including a team from Ghana. This is massive and I encourage more people to take a cue from what Ratels Sports Development Foundation have been doing.

Reacting, the General Coordinator of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, Dr Victoria Nlemigbo thanked Hon. Lawrence Ayeni for coming down to show support to the Flying Officers Cup and his home team, Osun Babes FC. She described him as an ardent lover of sports and one who could be described as a Sports Ambassador. 

The Flying Officers Cup is in its third edition and is solely sponsored by Ratels Sports Development Foundation, founded by Ambassador Barrister Paul Edeh. 

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