Apt Scholars Universal College and Vicona Private School emerged champions in the male and female categories respectively at the 2025 Olota Cup Football Competition, held on Friday, 19th at the Sports Centre of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.
In the male category, Apt Scholars Universal College claimed the title of the 3rd edition after edging out Vicona Private School in a keenly contested final, with Vicona finishing as first runner-up. The female category, however, saw Vicona Private School turn the tables, defeating Apt Scholars Universal College 1–0 to lift the trophy, while Apt Scholars settled for second place.
The thrilling finals attracted an impressive turnout of traditional rulers, community leaders, sports stakeholders, enthusiasts and dignitaries to the Bells University Sports Centre. Among the royal fathers in attendance were the Onilogbo of Ilogbo Asowo, the Seriki of Ota, the Baamolu and the Oteku of Ota Awori Land. Oba Elegushi and the Onijana of Ijana were ably represented, while several Baales from Ota and neighbouring communities also graced the occasion.
The Sports Director of Bells University of Technology, Dr. Oyewole Oluwapamilerin, attended alongside members of staff of the university. Fidelity Bank was represented by the branch manager, Mr. Ismail Mommand, through Mr. Seun Adeshina.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Professor Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran, commended the organisers, Travellers Network Magazine, for initiating the grassroots football tournament. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ngozi Ugo Arisa, he expressed delight at seeing young people channel their energy into sports rather than social vices.
Professor Arisa encouraged the organisers to sustain the initiative as a platform for steering youths away from drug abuse, fraud, prostitution, cultism and other vices, while promoting discipline and healthy competition. She also praised the impressive performance of the female players, urging them to remain focused on their education and sporting careers and to rise above stereotypes that limit women to domestic roles.
Speaking after the tournament, the Olota of Ota, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Professor) Adeyemi Abdukabir Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II, lauded the organisers for the laudable initiative and called on stakeholders to invest more in youth development through sports. The monarch noted that sports have the capacity to uplift families and communities, while pledging his continued support for the annual competition.
Similarly, the Onijana of Ijana Quarters, HRH Oba Clement, a former footballer, revealed that he once ran a football club in Ota and appealed to well-meaning individuals and philanthropists to support the initiative.
At the presentation ceremony, Oba Obalanlege presented trophies and medals to the winners of the male category, while Professor Ngozi Ugo Arisa presented awards to the female champions.
The publisher of Travellers Network Magazine and organiser of the event, Mr. Olaniyi Akinbode, described the tournament as a resounding success. He acknowledged the minor challenges encountered during the competition and assured that they would be addressed in subsequent editions. He also expressed gratitude to Oba Obalanlege, sponsors and supporters for their unwavering support.
The highlight of the event was the lifting of the 3rd Olota Cup trophy by Olawuyi Pelumi, captain of Apt Scholars Universal College in the male category, and Ekumabor Treasure, captain of Vicona Private School in the female category.
The 2024/2025 Olota Cup officially kicked off on November 24, 2025, with a colourful opening ceremony that reaffirmed the Awori Kingdom’s commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots sports development. The tournament was declared open by Oba Obalanlege at the Bells University Stadium, where Khafifat School and Scholars School played an entertaining opening match that ended 2–0.
The opening and final matches were commentated by Comrade Ojogbon Edet E. Ansa
.
The 3rd edition of the competition was sponsored and supported by Intercontinental Distilleries Limited (IDL), Olam Agri, Pardee Foods Nigeria Limited, Fidelity Bank, ACP Olushola Oladele (Area Commander, Sango), the DPO Sango-Ota, DPO Onipanu-Ota, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), So-Safe Corps, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, KPL, Unikom, Pocari Sweat, Bells University of Technology, Nigerian Breweries, among others.
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