The 2017 edition of the GTBank Masters Cup for secondary schools, will reach its climax tomorrow, Thursday, at the waterfront Onikan stadium in Lagos.
According to a statement from the bank, the football tournament is destined to end on an historic note as old rivalries will be renewed in the two matches that will feature the four most outstanding teams in this year’s competition.
The statement said that the Master Cup competition was established in 2012 and had since being annually for first generation and private secondary schools in Lagos State.
The games, the statement added, is geared towards the development of grassroots football, the discovery of young soccer talents, and fostering camaraderie amongst competing schools.
It said that the opener of this year’s final will be the match between Queens College, Yaba and Ansar-Ud-Deen Girls High School, Itire – a repeat of the keenly contested 2014 finals which, last time, ended 4-3 on penalties in favor of Queens College.
“In the male category, two-time winners of the competition Anwar-Ul-Islam College, Agege will face arch-rivals St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka. Both teams met in the group stage of the competition in a thrilling encounter in which St. Finbarr’s College romped to a 6-2 win to finish top of Group A.
“Except for St. Finbarr’s College who finished 2nd in 2015, three out of the four finalists have won the trophy in the past. Anwar-Ul-Islam College won the maiden edition of the competition in 2012, and retained the title the following year. They remain the only male teams that have won the tournament twice in the highly competitive category.
“Queens College has been the dominant force in the female category having won 4 times (2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016) while Ansar-Ud-Deen Girls High School, Itire emerged winners in 2013. Other past winners in the male category include Eko Boys High School, Mushin (2014) St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi (2015), and Greensprings Schools, Lekki (2016).
The statement quoted the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, as saying: “we are proud to lead this initiative that provides an avenue for students to showcase their talents and passion for the game of football even as they remain committed to their academics. “This competition paves the way for youths to cultivate their sporting talents and aptitudes, while fostering and building a healthier lifestyle at a critical stage in their lives.” [myad]
