By Nurudeen Adebayo
The organisers of the Oldies Appreciation Game and Family Funfair have stated that they intend to create a festival of sports for families and residents of Igbogbo, both at home and in the diasporas, to relax and enjoy timeout with families and friends.
The initiative, which commenced about 15 years ago and had three years break, started with only a football novelty match.
owever, this year’s edition has a bumper package like many indoor games, children’s activities, novelty matches, and entertainment galore.
The chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event, Prince Ademola Ogunlewe, and the Head, Media & Publicity, Mr. Tolu Faniyi, were guests on THE IMPACT platform Thursday evening.
Among the games that the 12th edition, which is coming up at United African Methodist Church (Eleja), located at Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Igbogbo, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, is featuring are: the Exhibition Match featuring Amputee Federation of Nigeria and Novelty Match with ex-international and other veteran players.
“Our intention is to create a sporting festival where people can have fun with their family, and at the same time, take care of themselves,” Faniyi said.
Ogunlewe described the event as a multifaceted one, adding that it is a way of appreciating veteran sportsmen and creating relaxation avenues for families and children.
“This event is a multi-faceted one – an event which addresses multiple needs of the people and the society at large.
“For starters, we believe that sports veterans are not being appreciated nor celebrated enough. Many times, we celebrate them by organising memorial matches after their demise or leading the charge when they are medically challenged.
“Do we continue this trend or fashion a way out to appreciate them at the right time? We chose the latter for obvious reasons.
Second, to say we are living in a pressure cooker in this country is an understatement. We barely have time for free time. Fun time devoid of any compelling duty or responsibility. In this regard, this event creates an avenue for leisure time occupied by recreational activities which many of us cherished.
“In addition, the inclusion of other activities ensures the event is a complete package for friends, families, etc,” he explained.
For the children’s funfair, Faniyi assured parents of maximum enjoyment for the children at the event.
“Parents should expect maximum fun for their kids as we will be having games, fun activities, and clowns for them. The children will have a section of the event exclusively dedicated to them with full educational activities also put in place.
“We have put in place security to cater for the safety of the children. Caregivers, medical officers, and the monitoring team will be on the ground fully dedicated to the safety and well-being of the children.
“We have prioritised the children’s fun park this edition. Registered kids will be going home with gift packs and souvenirs.
“There will be a lot to eat and drink for the kids. It will surely be an unforgettable experience for the kids,” Faniyi said.
Events outlined for the children’s fun park include Bouncing Castle, Mountain Climb, Games, Slide, Music, Refreshments, Swimming Pool, and Trampoline.
Speaking on the amputee’s game, Faniyi said: “We have partnered with the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation to make the sports more popular and also to offer our support to the special people in the community.
“We want the spectators to enjoy another kind of football game away from the regular football games. The board of the amputee federation will be on the ground to show solidarity for the programme.”