Big things they say happen to those who are brave enough to chase their dreams.
Such is the case of Igbogbo, Ikorodu division born football referee, Ogunmuyiwa Jelili who would make FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history in Bahamas come April 2017.
For being part of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup scheduled to hold in Nassau, Bahamas, from April 27 to May 7, 2017, alongside 23 other referees from different confederations, Ogunmuyiwa would become the first man from Africa to handle World Cup matches at five different tournaments.
Also, he would become the referee with the highest number of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup appearances only behind Moraes Ivo of Brazil who is attending his sixth Beach Soccer World Cup Tournament.
Before now, Ogunmuyiwa who was badged a FIFA Referee in the year 2008 made his first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup appearance in Marseille in 2008. Following an eye-catching debut, he attended his second World Cup tournament in Dubai in 2009 after he was listed by the football governing body.
The lanky referee was again part of the beach soccer tourney in Ravenna, Italy 2011 before attending his fourth tournament in Portugal in 2015.
Apart from officiating at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup level, Ogunmuyiwa Jelili has consistently handled top level matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Since the commencement of the annual beach soccer event, COPA Lagos in 2011, he has officiated in every edition of the annual tournament till date.
Ogunmuyiwa’s credentials also include; FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, AFCON Qualifiers DURBAN (2008), FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, AFCON Qualifiers DURBAN (2009), FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, AFCON Qualifiers, Eljadida (2013), and African Beach Soccer Qualifier (Egypt Vs Tanzania, Cairo) 2015.
Other major tournaments he has officiated include African Beach Soccer Championship, Seychelles (2015), and AFCON Beach Soccer Qualifiers (Cape Verde Vs Senegal, Cape Verde) 2016 and African Beach Soccer Championship, Nigeria (2016).
Furthermore, this will be the first time ever that the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be held in the CONCACAF region.
To determine the winner of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017, a total of 32 games will be played among 16 teams that qualified for the tourney.
SHAKIRU SEIDU
Igbogbo/Baiyeku Info Magazine
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