Microsoft Team Wins Techies Tourney 2015

It was a different ball game altogether when the MS Spartans, football team of tech giant, Microsoft took on Team SAP Nigeria in the finals of the Play for Literacy Battle of the Techies Tourney held at the Campos Square Mini Stadium on Sunday this week.

MS Spartans emerged victorious in the final match by 3 goals to 2 on penalties after playing 2-2 at regulation time; they were however given a tough run by Team SAP Nigeria led by Arinze Okonkwo in regulation time.

The awareness and funds raised from the match will go to Educate-a-Community Literacy Program, a charity project which works for educationally disadvantaged women and children.  AYECI Africa, a non-profit organization launched the Play for Literacy (PFL) Tourney in 2013 as an engaging way to mobilize leading corporate organizations and their employees to give to its literacy project.

The Play for Literacy Tourney which is fast becoming a sought-after charity sporting event by corporate organizations celebrates the value and power literacy offers in promoting knowledge and improving people’s prospects while creating more empowered communities.

Shina Oyetosho of MS Spartans who scored twice in the two (2) day football tourney emerged the Highest Goal Scorer of the competition, while Kelechi Nwosu of Team SAP Nigeria clinched the Most Valuable Player and Best Goalie Award of the tourney.

Though all for charity, the seriousness out on the field was evident with Oluwamuyemi Orimolade, Chief Coach of MS Spartans gingering his team to victory and grimacing at every miss by his teammates.

The PFL is a way we can collectively use the power of football and collaboration to offer educationally disadvantaged people in underserved communities a gift of literacy” said Ifeoma Adibe, executive director of AYECI Africa.  “With the support of more businesses, we anticipate doubling the impact of the campaign in 2015.”

 ‘We’ve always been interested in being part of a great cause that serves a greater good, every opportunity that enables us engage our employees in the process is most welcome.  We came to this tourney to give back and to win, we are glad we did both says Segun Adeniran, Finance Director and Team Manager, Microsoft Nigeria.

With this win, MS Spartans joins Team LASAA (Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency) winners of PFL EKO Tourney Season II to advance to the Play for Literacy Super Cup Finals.