The Department of Accountancy have emerged champions of Kogi State Polytechnic 2020/2021 Rector’s Cup following their 2-0 victory over the School of Art, Design and Printing in the Final.
The Department, known for balancing sheet and managing funds, were the better side for most part of the colorful final played at the new Sports Centre of the Main Campus.
Both sides went into the final on the back of their impressive semi final victories.
School of Art Design and Printing (SADP) defeated their counterpart from the School of Engineering, Itakpe Campus, 4-3 on penalties, while Accountancy Department edged out defending champions, Public Administration Department by a lone goal in the second semi final.
There was an exhibition match between the Women’s team of the institution and the Staff Team led by the Rector, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, as a prelude to the main match of the day. The Staff Team won the exhibition match 2-0.
For the main final, it was all about heroics of goalkeepers from both sides, Abubakar Muhammad of Accountancy and his counterpart from SADP, Friday Achimugu.
Both safe hands produced lots of talking points with their smart saves which resulted in a barren stalemate in the first half.
Accountancy Department started the second half with much vigor and purpose with the introduction of Bashiru Ali, who replaced Hadi Salawu within two minutes into the restart.
Ali made a quick impact when he won a free kick for his side which was well utilized to break the deadlock.
Captain of the side, Fabusoji Mayowa latched onto a well taken delivery from Simon Ochani, leaving Achimugu in goal for SADP helpless.
The goal was all Accountancy Department needed to take full control of the game and created more scoring opportunities; but the goal margin remained unchanged, thanks the smart saves by the SADP goalkeeper.
However, just as the SADP was trying to stage a comeback, Accountancy got what would then be an insurance goal through Bashiru Ali’s shot from the edge of the box.
All effort by the School of Art Design and Printing to at least get a consolation proved abortive as the Accountants have closed their vault, emerging champions with a clean sheet and smiling home with a cash award of 20,000 and a giant trophy.
SADP got 15,000 and a trophy for emerging the first runners up, while the Public Administration Department which came third got a cash award of 10,000 and a trophy.
In the Table Tennis event, Public Administration emerged champions, with Computer Science Department and Business Administration Department finishing second and third respectively.
In the game of Badminton, Computer Science won it with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP) coming second, and Business Administration Department taking third.
While presenting trophies and prizes to the winners, the Rector, Dr S. O. Usman praised the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by students and urged them to apply same in their academic pursuits and daily interactions within and outside the campus.
He urged them to continue to take their studies seriously and shun acts capable of dragging the name of the institution in the mud.
Compiled By:
Uredo Omale (Mrs.)
Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.