PHOTOS: Highlights of Maritime Cup 2023 finals

PHOTOS: Highlights of Maritime Cup 2023 finals

PHOTOS: Highlights of Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority and match officials file out for the final match of Maritime Cup 2023.

 

The 2023 Ships & Ports Maritime Cup, which started on 24th October, had a most glorious end last Friday.

The oldest and most consistent industry sporting event in Nigeria saw 15 top maritime companies and government agencies competing for honours in four groups. Group A was made of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Comet Shipping Agencies and COSCO Shipping Nigeria.

In Group B, 2019 runner-up Josepdam Port Services contended with 2014 champions National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and first-timers National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Group C had 2019 champions ENL Consortium, 2018 runner-up Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dynasty Shipping and leading terminal operator APM Terminals Apapa while Group D paraded 2009 champions Nigerian Navy, five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service and two new entrants – Blueche Lomado and Truck Transit Park (TTP).

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) won the tournament after defeating five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service 5-4 in a thrilling final match watched by a mammoth crowd at the Stable Sports Complex, Surulere, Lagos.

Pictures below highlight some of the defining moments of the tournament’s closing ceremony:

Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Special Guest of Honour Princess Vicky Haastrup (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Commandant of Customs Training College Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Hadison Haniel.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
L-R: Executive Director ENL Consortium, Mr. Mark Walsh; General Manager, Monitoring & Regulatory Services, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Seyi Iyawe and the CEO of Ships & Ports, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Cross-section of some guests at the closing ceremony.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Princess Haastrup pays tribute to late Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Princess Haastrup accompanied by Dr. Akinola exchanging pleasantries with match officials.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Princess Haastrup with Customs players.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
NPA fans take to the pitch to celebrate their team’s victory.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Nigerian Navy receive their bronze medals.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
Decoration of Customs players with their silver medals.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
NPA Koko Marines receive the Maritime Cup.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
The victorious NPA team.
Maritime Cup 2023 finals
The victorious NPA team.