Karim Adeyemi, the founder of Karim Adeyemi Foundation, arrived in Nigeria on December 23, and December 24th, his first day in the country, was nothing short of remarkable.
The day’s events were filled with football, humanitarianism, and recognition, setting the tone for a memorable visit.
The day began with the finals of the IFC-Adeyemi Football Championship Finals, a tournament for U-15 players.
The event was attended by Karim, his friends from Germany, and other notable personalities, including the president of Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Abiodun Adeyemi, and Alexandra Adeyemi, Chief Abiola Ali, Mr. Saheed Oyebamiji, Mogaji Kunle Dehinde, Mogaji Barrister Rotimi Ali, Oyo State IFA Chairman Elder Kehinde Ojelowo, and the Oyo State FA Secretary.
The tournament saw Adeyemi FC clinch the third position with a 4-1 win over Abiola Babes, while Liberty FC emerged as the winner of the trophy with a 3-0 win over FC Challenge.
The winners were decorated with medals, with Adeyemi FC receiving bronze, Challenge FC receiving silver, and Liberty FC receiving gold. The prizes also included a cash prize of 1 million naira for the winners, Liberty FC, while Challenge FC received 750,000 naira and Abiola Babes received 500,000 naira.
In a gesture of goodwill, the president of Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Mr. Abiodun, directed that the third-place cash prize be awarded to Abiola Babes, the fourth-placed team, to encourage their efforts and participation.
The event was not just about the football; it was also an opportunity for Karim to give back to the community.
Karim Adeyemi Foundation has been instrumental in supporting the growth and development of football in Nigeria, and the tournament was a testament to the foundation’s efforts
During the event, Karim was presented with an award of recognition by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) for his significant contributions towards the success of their most recent football tournament.
The chairman of the CCII praised Karim’s efforts and announced plans to host a match for female players in 2025. He also implored Karim to support the initiative, which aims to promote women’s football in the region.
Karim and the president of Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Abiodun Adeyemi, were both decorated with awards of recognition by the CCII for their outstanding contributions to the development of football in the community.
Additionally, Karim received the “Champion of Ibadan Culture” award from the CCII in recognition of his commitment to promoting and supporting the cultural heritage of Ibadan.
The tournament also saw excellent players receiving special awards in various categories. Ibrahim Abolade, a talented U-15 player, won the golden boot as the highest goal scorer in the tournament and was named the most valuable player of the match for his outstanding performance.
Adeyemi FC received the Fair Play Award for their display of sportsmanship throughout the competition. The shy but talented player expressed his excitement and gratitude to Karim Adeyemi and Karim Adeyemi Foundation for the opportunity to participate and showcase his skills.
Ibrahim extended his gratitude to Karim and the foundation, saying that the recognition and awards he received would motivate him to work harder and pursue his football career.
Karim’s visit to Nigeria has generated a lot of interest, and top media outlets, including BBC, Soccernet, and PulseSports interviewed him. The interviews provided an opportunity for Karim to share his vision for Karim Adeyemi Foundation and his commitment to supporting the development of football in Nigeria.
“I promised myself that when I make it in football, I will come back home to help children. I’m happy to see the amazing talent here in Nigeria. I came happy, and I’m leaving even happier. Thanks for all the support,” Karim said.
As the day came to a close, it was clear that Karim’s visit to Nigeria was going to be a memorable one.
The events of the day had set the tone for a visit that would be filled with football, humanitarianism, and recognition.
Karim Adeyemi Foundation’s efforts to support the growth and development of football in Nigeria were evident, and Karim’s commitment to giving back to the community was inspiring.
Watch the highlights of Karim’s arrival here
