In a good start to the CMD cup played among the various departments and schools in University College Hospital, the Alexander Brown Hall team known as Ajayi fc has defeated the defending champions of the league 1-0 in the opening match.
The team coasted to victory towards the end of the first half from a stunning freekick by the team’s captain Paul Edet which was converted to a goal by Shittu Ridwan, popularly known as Rado. This was the only goal of the match. In what was a gruelling match with Lawore fc, which consists of Building, Engineering, Biomedics, instruments, VAMED Equipment Monitoring departments, Ajayi fc of ABH displayed a superb performance despite having one of the players sent off from the pitch.
According to one of the players Daz, who plays at the centre back, ‘the team played very well at the first half but the second half saw the Lawore players caging us in and playing better. It was a tough match and thanks to our goalkeeper, Farouk Lawal who made many great saves for us.’
The ABH team is led by Paul Edet while the team is being coached by Temilade Adeniyi known popularly as Temzy, and he is assisted by Edoh Gabriel and Sheriff Adejumo. ABH’s next match is against Montefiori fc which consists of the Pathology departments, Clinical Pharmacy, Dietetics and Stores and Procurement departments on Monday, November 4, at the SMLS pith by 4pm.
However, ABH team coach, Temzy has lamented the lack of financial support from the hall Executives to buy basic things such as gloves, refreshment for players and washing of jerseys. The funding of the team which was captured in the present hall administration’s budget is yet to materialise. This was said to be due to the bureaucracy surrounding the withdrawal of the much needed fund thus, the players have resorted to using their personal money for the expenses they incure.
Another factor highlighted by Temzy which might limit the team is the ABH League which will be running concurrently with the CMD Cup. Player fatigue and injuries from lots of matches being played are some of the issues bothering Temzy. He however stated that his team is 90% ready to win the cup.
The opening match of the cup was kicked off by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Akinmoladun on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, Professor Jesse Otegbayo. The competition will run from October 28 to November 20 with the prize for the winner rumored to be hundreds of thousands of naira.
