Winners of the 10th edition of FAAN Unity football competition held over the weekend
Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has said that workplace sport is a powerful tool to promote healthy competition as well as encourage teamwork and collaborations.
She stated this in her speech at the grand finale of the 10th FAAN Inter-directorate sports competition’ which ended in LLagos over the weekend.
The competition featured football, lawn tennis, table tennis, scrabble, chess, swimming, badminton and draught games.
Other side attractions were taekwondo, cycling, FAAN women march dance and cultural displays.
The football match which was the crown of the competition was won by the football team from the directorate Aviation Security Services ( DASS) team which defeated the selected team of Managing Director and Directorate of Legal ( MD/DLS) by five to four after a penalty shootout.
The MD/DLS team was leading with a two goal margin in the first half . Thanks to a brace by one Folorunsho Jersey 9 who had earlier coverted a penalty awarded after Shola Jersey 8 was brought down when he attempted to dribble pass a defender in the penalty box of the DASS half.
Ten minutes later Folorunsho volleyed another shot which caught the goal keeper of the DASS napping to find the back of the net for the second time.
The tempo increased but every effort made by either of the team to score another goal proved abortive.
The first half ended with two goal advantage to the MD/DLS team.
On the resumption of the second half, the DASS team made two changes which actually saw them equalising , first with a goal mouth error which earned the DASS team their first goal of the match. Just when the applause which greeted the first goal was about to settle, one of the substitutes for DASS team, fired a shot from about 50 meter grazing the crossbar and entered straight into the net of the DlMD/DLS team, tturning the entire arena to a tumultuous applause. Making a two- two draw.
After 90 minutes of internsive and entertaining play with neither of the team able to score another goal, the referee stopped the game for penalty shootout.
While the MD//DLS team was able to covert only three out of their five kicks, the DASS team scored four of their spot kicks and won the trophy.
The directorate of Airport Operations (DAO) had during the week squared up for the third place with the directorate of engineering services (DES) in which DAO won with six goals to five on penalty after the first 90 minutes ended in 1-1 draw.
Speaking on the competition, Kuku sait it was more than a celebration of athletic achievements but more of the spirit of teamwork, camaraderie and well-being.
“We recognise that a healthy and happy workforce is the backbone of our organisation’s success.
“I want to reaffirm that the welfare of our staff is, and will always remain a top priority.
“This sports competition embodies our commitment to employee welfare, fostering an environment where our staff can relax and recharge, build meaningful relationships, and develop physical and mental well-being,” she said.
Kuku added that she was excited to see departments coming together stressing that “this is what makes FAAN a great place to work.”
She expressed her appreciation to the sports organising committee and the participating directorates.
“As we celebrate, let us remember that every directorate is a champion in its own right; every staff member is valued and appreciated and every moment of camaraderie strengthens our FAAN family,” she added.
Also speaking, the director of human resources and administration, Dr Luqman Emiola, emphasised that the true essence of the competition goes beyond winning or losing.
“It is about promoting a healthy work environment, fostering unity, and encouraging teamwork. Victory is not solely defined by winning; knowing when to accept defeat graciously and rejoicing with one another is equally important.
“Today, we are celebrating champions; we celebrate teamwork that strengthens our bond, perseverance that pushes us beyond limit and sportsmanship that inspires excellence,” he added.
