4th May, 2011
It was excitement galore for fans during the maiden edition of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Traditional Games Championship held at the Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo on Monday.
Games like Gidigbo (a traditional wrestling contest), Ludo, Ayo Olopon, Draughts and Ram Charging reminded fans of neighbourhood games in the olden days.
After a keenly contested tournament, David Ozah from Igbogbo beat all other wrestlers to win the first prize in the Gidigbo contest. Samuel Ozah (Aro lane), Samuel Isamah (Abe Igi Anu) and Kero Jay (Igbogbo) came second, third and fourth respectively.
In Ayo Olopon, Lamina Ogunmola from Adeboruwa Palace won the first position, while the second position went to Sekoni Fatai (Tumara). Mudasiru Olopade (Agbele) and Sikiru Mabadeje (Adeboruwa Palace) were third and fourth respectively.
Adeboruwa Palace also won the Draughts contest with Sonibare Adesina, while Joseph Agbor came second. In the third position was Obayomi Ladele (Igbogbo) and Talabi Saheed (Abe Igi Anu) came fourth.
Ludo was won Adedotun Sotiminu (Abe Igi Anu), who defeated Oduntan Segun (Aro Lane), Segun Kasali (Agarahu) and Ayeni Kasimu (Bashorun) to second, third and fourth positions respectively.
The fight of the rams was the most interesting aspect of the championship. A ram nicknamed Muntari won the contest with the prize money of N25, 000, while Omo Lang and Agege came second and third respectively winning N15, 000 and N10, 000.
One of the guests who graced the event, Alhaji Wasiu Laiga, Chairman of BRF Fans Club in London, commended the organizers, Platinum Sports and Games Association and the Lagos State Traditional Sports Association for putting up the show.
He also commended the state governor, Raji Fashola, who facilitated the competition through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to the Governor, headed by Prince Wale Oladunjoye.
“This competition brings back the memory of the olden days and I believe it would go a long way in keeping our youths busy,†he said.
Comrade Abass Lateef, the Chairman of Platinum Sports and Games Association urged the Governor to compel all the chairmen of local governments and Local Council Development Areas in the state to organise traditional sports in their domain.
—Taiwo Adelu