Once again, the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association is drawing nearer to the end of a tenure. It’s not very hard to notice with the participation of classes in different sports. We’re counting down to the most anticipated Medical Board Examination – MB 4 – in medical school as we publicize posters and fliers of Healthweek events, and many more. You can guess that you are only reading this because it’s that time again. For casuals that might stumble on this, the Healthweek is the one-week-long lineup of events that marks the end of a year in medical school. It’s also that time when the finals of competitive activities take place e.g., quizzes, debates, sports, etc.
UIMSA’s sports have been very eventful this administration with the revival of UIMSA KEEP FIT, female football friendlies, and participation in the SEALS Cup and Provost Cup. Ulympics, this tenure featured football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and track events. Gold and silver medals have been clinched across most of these sports, with the remaining sports being the male football final. Football had a little twist this tenure with the random pairing of classes as opposed to the tradition of junior classes playing their immediate seniors for some ‘fairness’ I guess. There were two groups of 3 classes each, and 2 group stage matches were played per class to qualify for the semi-final spot. The first group had the Panthers (2k19), Mavericks (2k25), and Imperium (2k26) while the second group had Impeccabilem (2k24), Invictus (2k23), and Oka (2k21).
Mavericks and Panthers made the semi-final spots from the first group; Impeccabilem and Oka made the spots from the second group. Mavericks lost to Oka in the semis while Impeccabilem crashed out of the semis against Panthers. Now, we have the Panthers going against Oka in the finals. Everyone, from the 200-level class upwards, has seen this happen before. Panthers and Oka went against each other in the last football finals in the 61st Healthweek. It ended inconclusively; you can read up the press report from that game here.
In preparation for this football final, I interviewed the coaches from the classes that made it to the final, here’s what they have to say:
Part 1: This is an interview with Mark Obeya, Panthers coach.
Interviewer: Can you kindly introduce yourself?
Mark Obeya: I’m Mark Obeya. Coach of the male team of the MBBS 2019 clinical intake class, known as the 2k19 class.
Interviewer: As the coach of the 2k19 class, how do you feel about your team making it to the football final?
M.O: I’m glad about it. Happy that we put in the work to be here again.
Interviewer: Coming from the preliminary stages, what game did you desire a different outcome, and why?
M.O: None, really. We lost the first game vs the 200L class but I think it was good overall for us to get our minds back on track.
Interviewer: For the record, it’s the second football final in two Healthweeks in a row. What do you have to say about that?
M.O: I think it shows we’ve improved a lot as a team and the first time wasn’t a fluke.
Interviewer: The last final was inconclusive and you’re facing the same opponent as the last time, do you think it might happen again?
M.O: No, I don’t think the same thing will happen.
Interviewer: Can you say there’s some sort of rivalry between you and your opponents?
M.O: None from our side. We’re their seniors and that’s really just it. No rivalry.
Interviewer: Who do you think is going to win the finals?
M.O: The team I coach. That’s why we’re there.
Interviewer: Can you make a scoreline prediction?
M.O: 1 – 0 in favour of my team.
Interviewer: Name a favourite player in the opponent’s class.
M.O: Ramoni, definitely. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever coached. (Mark is also the coach of the MBBS team.)
Part 2: An interview with Olamide Omotunde, Oka coach.
Interviewer: Please introduce yourself.
Olamide Omotunde: I am Omotunde Olamide, coach of the 2k21 class also known as the 500-level guys.
Interviewer: As the coach of the 2k21 class, how do you feel about your team making it to the football finals?
Olamide Omotunde: I feel proud of the players in the class. It’s the second consecutive final. It shows how great the players are. Giving their best at all times. I’m lucky and proud of them.
Interviewer: Coming from the preliminary stages, what game did you desire a different outcome, and why?
Olamide Omotunde: The preliminary stages could have gone better. Maybe we should have gotten a point against the 2k24 class. Very good opponents. But it looked like they wanted it more than us. Good players all around.
Interviewer: For the record, it’s the second football final in two Healthweeks in a row. What do you have to say about that?
Olamide Omotunde: It’s been quite a ride. Beating the defending champions (2k18) on two occasions last time to get to the final. And then, now. It speaks of the commitment of the players we have. Little minor hitches along the way. But, we’re here again.
Interviewer: The last final was inconclusive and you’re facing the same opponent as the last time, do you think it might happen again?
Olamide Omotunde: I believe the issues that occurred at the last final have been addressed now. This year is more structured and organised with well-laid-out rules. Kudos to the Sports Committee.
Interviewer: Can you say there’s some sort of rivalry between you and your opponents?
Olamide Omotunde: I’m not aware of any rivalry. Maybe they hold some grudges because we’re so, so good. We just focus on doing our thing.
Interviewer: Who do you think is going to win the finals?
Olamide Omotunde: It’s a tough game. Strong opponent. Defend so well. Good players in the midfield. But we’d be there.
Interviewer: Can you make a scoreline prediction?
Olamide Omotunde: We’d see how it goes.
Interviewer: Name a favourite player in the opponent’s class?
Olamide Omotunde: Their keeper. Kenneth. I hear he keeps lots of clean sheets.
The coaches have expressed themselves and what we can do now is sit back, relax, turn up on Friday, pick a side – for the neutral classes – or not, and watch the showdown! Be there.
Peter Adeyemo.
