Sport
Photos: LRSO Launches Plateau Christian Cup to Engage Youths Through Soccer
The much-anticipated Plateau Christian Cup officially kicked off on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at St. John’s College, Jos, with a series of exciting matches featuring teams from various churches and ministries across the state. Organized by the Lighthouse Rescue Sports Outreach (LRSO), this soccer championship is the first of its kind, aiming to bring together youths from churches in Plateau State through sports.
LRSO President, Geoffrey Bottson, in his opening remarks, explained that the championship was created to engage church youths beyond the traditional annual one-week youth programs. “This tournament provides an opportunity for continuous youth engagement within the church, and we hope it becomes a lasting platform for unity and discipleship,” Bottson said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the churches and players participating in the maiden edition of the tournament, while calling on individuals, organizations, and the government to support the initiative. The winning team and the runners-up will represent Plateau State in the Nigerian Christian Cup, set to take place in Abuja later this year.
Rev. Tongsmangs T. Dasbak of Jesus Revelation Global Ministry, who serves as the National Sports Chaplin, delivered an exhortation during the launch, emphasizing that the championship is an avenue to make disciples for Christ. He symbolically kicked the ball to officially declare the tournament open. Pastor Haruna Damina, LRSO Patron, also encouraged participants to embody the character of Christ throughout the competition.
The first match of the tournament saw CYON of St. Theresa’s Deanery face off against the Police Chapel of Plateau State Command. It was a closely contested game, with Police Chapel narrowly securing a 1-0 victory.
The championship will continue with matches held at both St. John’s College and Police Field in Jos, leading up to the grand finale on September 29, 2024, where the first-ever Plateau Christian Cup champions will be crowned.
The kickoff event was marked by excitement from players and spectators alike, as anticipation builds to see which church team will claim the inaugural title.
Inter Lagos fought back in the closing minutes to secure a 1–1 draw against Kano Pillars in an entertaining Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, on Wednesday.
READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins
The visitors appeared set to claim all three points after taking a first-half lead and stubbornly defending their advantage for most of the contest.
However, Inter Lagos maintained intense pressure through the second half, mounting attack after attack in search of a route back into the game.
Their relentless persistence paid off late in the match when Bashir Abdulkarim capitalized on a defensive opening to slot home the equalizer.
The drama triggered wild celebrations among the home fans as Inter Lagos snatched a hard-earned point from the jaws of defeat.
While Inter Lagos can draw confidence from their resilience, Kano Pillars will be frustrated by their failure to manage the game and secure the victory.
The result leaves both teams with a point each, further reflecting the tight, unpredictable nature of this season’s NPFL campaign.
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