•Blow-By-Blow Account Of The 6th Edition
Thursday 10th November, 2022 was a very special day for the management and the entire staff of Adron Homes and Properties across Nigeria as they all stormed Lagos for the much-anticipated annual sporting events called Adron Games.
Adron Games is an annual sporting event that has come to stay. Right from its maiden edition held in 2016, every edition of the highly eventful sporting event has always been greater and grander than the previous one. It has recorded lots of successes and this is why the General Managing Director of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King and his enchanting wife, Olori Aderonke who is also the Executive Director of the company have continued to sponsor the games every year. Adron Games has become a trade mark event which every member of staff now looks forward to participating in every year. They take lots of time, energy and resources to prepare in order to emerge victorious at the end of the games.
This year’s Adron games didn’t fall short of expectation as it was organised in a very special way. It is its 6th edition and was held between 10th November and 12th November, 2022 with a carefully chosen theme; “The Fit Are The Best”. Everything put in place was apt as MC Rhelax the MC of the event made it lively. He kept the audience spellbound leaving them with moments to relish.
HOW YABATECH PLAYED A WORTHY HOST
The Sports Centre of Yaba College of Technology played a worthy host of the much-anticipated sporting event. It saw an unprecedented audience, many of whom travelled from far and wide to witness the games.
The choice of holding the games in Lagos and in YABATECH, a reputable institution with a top notch sports centre was highly commendable. It gave the games the needed glamour. Considering the facilities available, participants were made to feel at home as the ambience surrounding the centre was appropriate for the tasks ahead.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD IN GRAND STYLE
The games began on a high note as the grand opening ceremony was held on November 10th saw a large pool of sport icons grace the event. The Chief Host himself, Aare Emmanuel-King and his darling wife were joined by the likes of football icons; Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida, Track and Field athlete and Olympic gold medallist; Chioma Ajunwa to kick start the competition. The organisers brought them to inspire and motivate participants who are majorly staff of Adron Homes.
WHAT AARE AKINTOLA EMMANUEL-KING SAID TO DECLARE THE EVENT OPEN
Before setting the games in motion, the GMD gave a remarkable speech about the annual events stressing while Adron Games has come to stay. He took time to dwell on the essence of games after which he revealed why this year’s edition was unique.
“We have also partnered with a number of our contractors, vendors and bankers who will also be participating on the tract in this year’s event. Also participating are some selected institutions of learning as we hope that this event would provide the impetus to promote sporting activities in institutions and most importantly good health.
While he acknowledged individuals and corporate bodies for always supporting Adron Games, he mentioned key sponsors of the games such as Lotus Bank, Zenith Bank, Rite Foods, Minimee Noodles and Guaranty Trust Bank as he thanked them greatly.
The declaration of Adron Games 2022 opened was done in a significant way as the GMD kicked the symbolic football to commence the games.
HOW THE 8 WORLDS OF ADRONS THRILLED AUDIENCE WITH CLASSY AND COLOURFUL PARADES
This was swiftly followed by the opening parade. This was done in style as the 8 worlds of Adron Homes thrilled the spectators with their enticing display as they matched on to salute their GMD and ED who were standing with the sports icons receiving them. The parade was highly colourful and done in the following order starting with Ogun, Oyo, Construction, Abuja, Living Spring, Eko, Lagos Mainland, and lastly Contractors/Partners and Sponsors. Each team gave a good account of themselves as they were unique in their lovely displays.
EX-SUPER EAGLES INTERNATIONAL AND ADRON CONTRACTORS LOCKED HORNS TO KICK START THE GAMES
Starting the games was a remarkable football match between Ex-Super Eagles International and Adron Contractors. The ex-Super Eagles team which was led by coach Dafe Okotie was star studded as it has the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Victor Agali, Friday Elahor, Joseph Dosu, Ladi Omoruyi, Taiwo Oloyede, Shakiru Giwa, Wasiu Ipaye, Friday Ekpo, Godwin Okpara and others. The Adron Contractors on the other hand featured players many of whom are contractors, partners and sponsors on Adron Homes. The team was led by Coach Ogungbe Akanbi Saheed. The two teams gave a good account of themselves on the field of play. It was fun to see the Adron Contractors slug it out with the ex-internationals. The game ended in a score draw as Daniel Amokachi scored via a spot kick for the ex-Eagles in the first half of the game. During the second half, the opposing team, Adron Contractors, did not relent as they continued to press for goals. Meanwhile their prolific striker Taiwo Ogunleye scored to equalize the goal margin as they kept it unchanged till the end of the match.
OTHER GAMES AND SIDE ATTRACTIONS HELD ON DAY 1
A couple of other matches were played while Tug of War games were held in between the matches. There were lots of side attractions which spiced the event up. Flexibly Fabby wowed the spectators when she twisted her body in an unimaginable manner. Comedian, Babatunde Adeniyi aka LL Cool Jay also had a nice time out thrilling the crowd as he mimicked some legendary footballers’ attitude on the field of play.
HOW KAFFY AND HER CREW TOOK CHARGE OF AEROBICS
Also worthy of note was how popular Nigerian choreographer and fitness coach, Kafayat Shafau aka Kaffy and her crew took participants on Aerobics. This was done early in the morning throughout the 3 days of sporting events. It was made a routine to be done first thing before participants engage in any other activities. Kaffy did this diligently to keep them fit for the tasks of each day.
THE PEAK OF THE GAMES
Friday 11th November, 2022 was the second day which recorded the peak period of the games. The day was loaded with lots of games as participants were busy slugging it out in their respective categories and preliminaries to ensure they qualify for the finals. Participants competed in nothing less than 20 games which include; Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Snooker board, Cycling, Tug of War, track and field event like Long jump, 100 metre race, 200 metre race, 4 by 100 metres relay race, sack race, egg and spoon race, and 3 legged race and many others. Meanwhile there was an ED sponsored race for senior management staff to participate.
HINTS FROM THE CLOSING CEREMONY
The 3rd day which was on Saturday 12th November, 2022. It was the day the event would be concluded. The highly eventful day would event lots of finals as winners of each of the games would be announced, celebrated and rewarded. It would also feature Dance Competition, Raffle Draw as well as Medal and Trophy Presentation to winners at the games. As at the time of filing this report, the finals of the games were still in progress. Watch out for the full list of winners at this year’s Adron Games as City People would give you details of how each of them emerged and how they were celebrated among other activities that took place marking the closing ceremony of the sporting event.
SUPER EAGLES SUPPORTERS’ CLUB WAS FULLY ON GROUND
Among the many high points scored the organisers of Adron Games 2022 was how they achieved inviting members of the ever-cheering Super Eagles supporters’ Club led by the Chairman of the group’s Side Attraction, Mr. JIMOH MUSILIU ALAO. This year was the second time they would be attending Adron Games to cheer participants and by extension add spice to the event. They really had a nice time out in Lagos while doing what they know how to do the best.
-Jamiu Abubakar
(08085185886)
