Emir Of Ilorin's Cup: Victorious Police Machine Beat Up Organisers, Journalists Over Prize Money
The finals of the 2023 Emir of Ilorin's Cup played over the weekend ended in fracas after players of the victorious team, Police Machine, went on rampage as they attacked journalists and competition organisers over prize money.
The Chairman of Ilorin West Football Association and chairman of the competition's organizing committee, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Owolabi Agbaji Wopa, also was caught up in the melee.
The Police team had defeated Musty FC 1-0 to lift the trophy while the third place match between Okaa Sports FC and Adezzy FC ended 1-0 in favour of the former.
However, trouble started shortly after the presentation of trophies and medals.
An eye witness said “While he was granting a press interview, the police team players accosted Wopa outside the main bowl of the Ilorin Township Stadium requesting for their money.
“But he (Wopa) told them that such money requires processing and some of their handlers were yet to reconcile accounts to enable them make payments.”
It is said the angry Policemen refused to be pacified as they insisted on getting their prize money at that moment.
“They assaulted him physically while others sustained injuries. They smashed phones, sunglasses and other belongings,” another eye-witness added.
Wopa lamented over the unfortunate incident and said “the players did not show self-control and discipline Nigerian Police is known for.”
In his reaction, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, said he was very upset with the action of the policemen.
He said a full investigation into the ugly incident will be carried out very soon.
Olaiya stated that efforts are ongoing towards a meeting and possible resolution of the matter with the competition's organising committee and the physically assaulted sports journalists
He also pleaded that the incident should not put the existing cordial relationship between the command and the press in the state in jeopardy”.
Daily Trust gathered reliably that the organisers had planned to give out N1m, N750,000 and N500,000 cash prize for the first, second and third place teams respectively.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Nigeria Governors\' Forum Ahmad Fatima Bisola Haliru Dantoro Sidikat Uthman Ajibola Share/Tsaragi Amuda Bembe Lanre Jimoh Abdulrazaq Magaji Mutawali Binta Abubakar Mora Ambassador Kayode Laro Bature Bello Gobir Organization Foundation Salihu Ajia Sarah Jubril Agor Market Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu Maimunat Oniyangi Saadu Alanamu Michael Ologundea First Lady Ibrahim Mohammed Ayo Adeyemi Toyin Falola Women For Change And Development Initiative Gbemi Saraki NIPOGA Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa Kolo Innocent Okoye VADA Amule Elementary School Alfa Yahaya Road Ibrahim Akaje Anilelerin Kwara State Fish Farmers Association Sayomi Dunmade Apaokagi M.Y. Abdulrahaman Isiaka Gold Salman Suleiman Alabi Lawal Oniyangi Demola Banu Oke-Ogun NIPR Alfa Belgore Muyideen Ajani Bello Kwara 2019 Pakata Development Association NURTW Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran Post Utme Idi-Ape Kolawole Akande Bolakale Kawu Tuesday Assayomo Gbemisola Saraki Rafiu Olasile Saidu Isa School Of Nursing Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat Onilorin Of Ilorin Hikmah AbdulKareem Aminu Ado Bayero Isiaka Rafiu Mope Dagbalodo JAAC Transition Implementation Committee Y.A. Abdulkareem Folorunsho Erubu Egbejila Ogidi-Oloje Ibrahim Oloriegbe Shuaib Olarongbe Alimi Abdulrazaq

