History, as the adage goes, repeated itself, as Abubakar Gumi College, Kaduna began the next decade of the NNPC Shell Cup as champions of the 11-year-old Nigerian secondary school competition. The College was the first winner of the competition when it started in 1999. It defeated Asegun Comprehensive Secondary School, Ibadan by a lone goal in an excitement filled Finale of the 2009 NNPC Shell Cup held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. |
A number of great Nigerian footballers as well as known sports managers were at the NNPC Shell Cup venue to watch the "Greater Tomorrows" (as youth footballers are amiably dubbed) perform. One of Nigeria's greatest footballers and immediate past Super Eagles Captain, Austin 'JayJay' Okocha, was the Special Guest of Honour and dazzled the crowd with a dramatic kick off. Other celebrities included famous lawyer/sport commentator, Dudu Orumen; Mercy Akide Udoh, former Super Falcon & African Female Footballer of the Year; Victor Ikpeba, former Super Eagles Player & African Footballer of the Year; Waheed Akanni, Joe Erico, former Green Eagles Goal Keeper and national coach, amongst others. The crowd included pupils from local secondary schools. Music by the now famous Nigerian Supporters Club added colour to the carnival-like atmosphere. The team from Abubakar Gumi College, Kaduna, scored early in the second half with a well-placed shot that went through the net reminding those spectators old enough to remember of the famous "Thunder Balogun." The winners went home with Gold Medals, a N2.5million cheque for sports development in their school, and N25,000 each for the 20 players. In the win-win spirit of the NNPC Shell Cup, the Runner Up, Asegun Comprehensive Secondary School, Ibadan (2nd Runner Up position in 3 years) received the Silver medals, N1.4million for sports development in their school and N20,000 for each player. The 3rd placed team, Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi received Bronze medals, N500,000 for sports development and N15000 each. Science Secondary School, Biu placed 4th and received a cheque for N400,000 for sports development and N10,000 each. Senior Shell staff were well represented by Ms Ann Pickard - Executive Vice President Shell E & P Africa with her husband Capt. Dan Smith, Mutiu Sunmonu - Managing Director, SPDC and Vice President Production, Shell E & P, Africa, to name a few. Other dignitaries included Dr. (Mrs) Toyin Aluko who represented the Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Engr. Sani Ndanusa; Mrs. Bolanle Ashafa, Mgr Public Affairs Directorate, NAPIMS, representing Dr. M.K. Baru, FNSE, GGM NAPIMS; Dr. Thomas Adeleke Olaiya, President, Nigerian Schools Sports Federation; Dr. Princewill Obah, representative of the Managing Director TOTAL, Mr. Jacques Marrad-des-Grottes; Representative of the Senate President, Senator Ganiu Solomon (Chairman Committee on Capital Market), to name a few. The event signified an exciting beginning to the next decade of the NNPC/Shell Cup. If history is to continue repeating itself, a number of these athletes may just reference this event as the defining moment that began their professional career.
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