Felix Owolabi at 70: Ex National Players, 3SC Beat Opponents In Novelty Games
as Celebrant attributes remarkable journey to God’s faithfulness
The 70th birthday celebration of the Nigeria football legend, Dr. Felix Owolabi (MON), commenced on Friday with novelty football matches played at the Lekan Salami Stadium , Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Former National Players defeated All Stars Ibadan 2-1, while Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan beat Osun united 1-0 in the second encounter.
Mutiu Adepoju and Femi Opabumi scored for their side, while Tope Orelope scored for All Stars Ibadan in the game that featured Dimeji Lawal , Edith Agoye, Dosu Joseph among other former national players.
In the second encounter, 3SC got the goal in the second half after both teams failed to convert penalties awarded to them by the referee in each stanza.
The football icon, Dr. Felix Owolabi in a chat with journalists attributed his remarkable journey to God’s faithfulness.
He expressed delight being part of the football family in the country and beyond and also seeing people from far and near to identify with him on the occasion.
His words :” If I look at my career, right from when I started to grow up, want to know how to play football, to become a footballer, and then being part of that football family, and getting a lot of laurels, they are just enough.
” I have every reason at 70 to look back and say, oh, God has been marvelous, amazing, and I thank Him for all He has done for me.
“The little crowd here has made my day for the 70th birthday coming up in the next two days because this is the real moment that I have been expecting, I have been having sleepless nights to think about how it will be. Honestly speaking, I want to thank you all for the love, for coming, taking your time from your various media houses to come and celebrate with me. And for the people from Osun state, the ex-internationals, some came from Lagos, and the mighty shooting stars, honestly speaking, what can I say more than to say I thank you all.”
Former Super Eagles Star and Member of the Birthday Organizing Committee, Mutiu Adepoju, described the celebrant as a good human being whom he felt his impacts while playing under him as a coach.
He speaks further :” Dr. Felix Owolabi is Somebody I have known when I was very young, watching on TV, and luckily, I came up to play with him.
“ He was our coach, I mean, coach and player, I played alongside him when I was in Shooting Stars in 1988. It was fantastic, I felt his impact as a footballer, the experiences that I gained then made me, admire him, and I mean, I will always respect him.
“I’m so happy today to be amongst the committee for the organization the birthday. It shows that, he owes me with a high esteem, and I owe him as well .
“I want to wish him all the best, I mean, good health with his family”
The Chairman, Shooting Stars Sports Club, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro, emphasized the need to celebrate outstanding individuals in various fields while alive.
He noted that the club would continue to honor and celebrate its legends during their existence.
He appreciated the media houses for their interest in celebrating the legend by showcasing the event to the world.
The event had in attendance Family Members, including the Wife of the football legend, Bukola Owolabi, colleagues, stakeholders in the sporting industry and a host of others.