Amos Ado plans to use Orumogege Football Tourney as platform to harness in Ogbomosoland

 

A former official in the Marketing Department of the Confederation of African de Football (CAF), Mr. Amos Ado has revealed that the Orumogege Football Tournament is a platform designed to harness the numerous football talents in Ogbomoso. 

Amos Ado, Head of Kinetic Sports and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the football tournament, also gave ingredients that can make the beautiful round leather game in Nigeria marketable. 

"Football ball is a very marketable event. We just have to put all our facilities in good shape to attract brands. 

"The playing pitches must be of standard, making sure we televise our footballing event and the most important fans and ensuring our football venues are safe for everyone. 

The former COPA Lagos Beach football organizer and marketing expert gave an insight into how the Orumogege Football Tourney came about. 

"For a very long time, I had it in mind to do something different in football, so I met an organization called Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF) and sold the idea of the essence of going into football development, and the rest is history. 

"Our Kabiyesi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Ọba Ghandi Afọlábí Ọláoyè, Orumógege III, is a youth-loving Kabiyesi, and he accepted that we host the tourney.

" The goal is to discover talent during the tournament and nurture them for the future, as we intend to produce more Seyi Olofinjana (Super Eagles legend) from Ogbomoso We also really need to thank the Soun Ogbomoso, Alainsmith, and OCYF for their support. 

"We're also doing something differently in football in Ogbomoso. The Orumogege Football Tournament is free-age grade and played as knockout football at the Soun Stadium. 

"The LOC opted to make the tournament a knockout based as against the Group Phase to make it very competitive. It has attracted a lot of fans who have been kept on the edge of their seats with dazzling football skills from the 32 teams registered for the event. 

"It has also been a commercial boom for the city as a lot of market women around the stadium are making brisk business selling their commodities to fans. 

"Thankfully, the tournament powered by OCYF and Alainsmith Nigeria Limited and I am delighted to inform Ogbomoso people that our Kabiyesi, Oba Olaoye Ghandi has assured us the tournament will be held annually, following the success recorded within the few days of the kickoff."

APC Youth Festival: Youth Minister Sunday Dare says Nigerian youths are strategic to nation building

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare has commended Nigerian youths for their active participation in the political process at all levels of government.

Speaking ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth festival scheduled to hold on Saturday,  February 5 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan,  the Minister applauded the organizers of the event, adding that the youth are strategic to nation building.

Dare stressed that national development cannot be achieved without the integration of the younger generation, noting that the youth are blessed with uncommon  talents , which should be explored for the progress of the country.

The Minister, who will deliver a keynote address at the event, is expected to highlight the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in the area of youth empowerment.

The Minister, while urging the youth to sustain the feat, called on the political class to support youth-friendly policies of the federal government, adding that the President's assent to the Not-To-Young-To-Run bill is a testament to the love President Muhammadu Buhari has for the youth.

Dare, wished the youth a fulfilling and hitch-free festival.

Dignitaries grace Youth/Sports Minister sponsored Table Tennis competition finale in Ogbomoso

 

 

*** Competition Organised In Honour of the Late Soun of Ogbomosoland

Ogbomoso, the hometown of Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare went agog Friday as prominent community leaders and dignitaries across the country graced the finale of the DAD Foundation table-tennis competition sponsored by the Minister, in honour of the late Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi.

Dare, the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland, a high Chief, organised the competition as part of activities lined up for the 40 days Fidau prayers in honour of the late paramount ruler. 

Amongst dignitaries that spoke at the event was the former Director of Kwara State Sports Council, Mr Tunde Kazeem who described the Minister as an exemplary performer whose accessibility and humility is unparalleled for leaders of his ilk. He charged individuals and members of the private sector to take a cue from the Minister by adopting a Sports to support, or an athlete to develop, stating Government cannot develop Sports alone. 

President of the Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum, Rev. Peter Olaleye commended Dare for not only initiating the table-tennis competition but for investing in the on-going construction of a befitting Sports centre for the town. He went down memory lane to narrate how the Minister assisted the Forum with cash donation to rehabilitate a very bad portion of a major road, even though his assistance wasn't solicited. 

"The Minister is an empathetic leader with a heart for the people. Even though we tried to dodge his donation because we didn't request for it, he found a creative way to get it to us and this hastened the rehabilitation of that road, for the benefit of the people," Rev. Olaleye added.

A representative of the Minister's friends, Dr. Dan Okeke, an APC chieftain from Abia said they were in Ogbomoso to support the Minister because he is always there for his friends despite his hectic schedule. He revealed how Dare visited Abia State, and stayed for 3 days when he had a function, playing a pivotal role. On behalf of the Minister's friends, he pledged an undisclosed amount to support the APC in Ogbomoso and also cash gifts for winners of the competition.

Cash gifts were later presented to the winners of competition by the Minister as the community looks forward to the commissioning of the Sports centre in a few weeks.

The roll-call of dignitaries at the event include Oba Dr. Sunday Ademola Ogunmola, Alaje of Ogbomosoland, Oba Adeyemi Ajibade Fajoye, Olubere of Ogbomosoland, APC chieftains across Oyo State, friends and associates of the Honourable Minister.

Ex-footballers hold UNIBADAN to a still with 7th Reunion celebrations

 

... Rewards Edith Agoye, Patrick Ngwaogu, Abiodun Salami Others

The community of the Premier University in the country, University of Ibadan was agog at the weekend when the Ex-Footballers of the citadel of learning held their 7th World Reunion.

The event started with a visit to the Vice Chancellor of the institution Professor Kayode Adebowale in his office. 

However, the University's Director of Public Communications Oladejo Olatunji was on ground to receive the Ex-Footballers many of who represented the University and country in various competitions. The University appreciated the ex-students for their efforts in ensuring that they reunite after years of graduation, while appreciating the efforts in their steps towards their almamater. 

Earlier, the President of the Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association Edwin Ebvie had narrated the concept of the Association to the Vice-Chancellor's representative, and appreciated them for giving them an enabling environment to reunite, moreover  giving out the highly revered Trenchard Hall to the Association for their get together. 

The Ex-Footballers later took to the pitch of the Obafemi Awolowo Students pitch in the University to play a tournament between Team Mutiu Adepoju and Team Rotimi Alli, which ended in penalty shootouts. 

When a winner could not emerge, it was decided that the trophy be presented to Coach Abiodun Salami, the outgoing Director of Sports in the University who is retiring from the University after attaining the mandatory years in service. 

The occasion was climax with a reunion dinner held at the Trenchard Hall of the University, various awards were given to some members of the Association among whom are two former Internationals, 3SC Head Coach Edith Olumide Agoye and Dr Abiodun Salami outgoing University of Ibadan Director of Sports, Patrick Ngwaogu former Abia Warriors FC Sporting Director, Prof Oluwasegun Adekunle, Chairman  Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association Board of Trustees, the President of Association Edwin Evbie. Others are Tunde Ojo (Answer), Olawale Taoheed Raji.

Ex University of Ibadan Footballers Storm Ibadan For 7th World Reunion

The Premier University in country, the University of Ibadan will on Saturday,  18th day of December, 2021, play host to the Ex-Footballers of the citadel of learning at the 7th Annual Reunion of the Association. 

In a statement signed by the Association's Public Relations Officer, Henry Duru, he said that all is now set for the annual Reunion of the  Association, which will among other things include a Football tournament among the ex-players in the morning at the University of Ibadan New stadium. There will also be  a Get-together Dinner Party in the evening at the Trenchard Hall of the University. 

The image maker further stated that the Vice-Chancellor of the Premier University Professor Kayode Adebowale will perform the ceremonial kick off of the mini Football tournament. 

He said that the Reunion event will also be used to Honour the retiring Director of Sports of the University, Dr Abiodun Salami, who has been a father figure to most of the Footballers that passed through the institution. Other individuals will also be given awards at the dinner.

Meanwhile, both the Team Manager and Chief Coach of the Shooting Stars Sports Club, Dimeji Lawal and Edith Agoye have  regretted their inability to attend the Réunion program  which they are an integral part. 

The two former Ex-internationals said the Reunion coincides with the Match Day 1 of the 2021 /2022 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season. 3SC are already in Gombe to battle Gombe United.  

In a message to the Association, the duo said "In as much as we should have loved to be a part of the Reunion event, we also owe it a duty to pilot the affairs of 3SC in the Premiership in far away Gombe. We are totally with our mates in spirit and also seek for their prayers for 3SC in the new season" they concluded.

Uni Ibadan VC to declare Ex-UI Footballers Reunion Open

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale will declare open the 7th World University of Ibadan Ex-Footballers reunion holding on 18th December 2021 at the University of Ibadan Sports Complex.

Announcing this at the weekend, the President of the Association Edwin Evbie said the Vice Chancellor will be accompanied to the event by the Association's Board of Trustees Chairman Professor (Mogaji) Oluwasegun Adekunle.

Quoting his words, the President said "this 7th edition is going to be unique. We are starting at exactly 8am at the Obafemi Awolowo playing pitch in the University, where all the ex-footballers that represented the premier institution in the past are expected to display the skills that made them the cynosure of all in the past. We would also have a get together party later in the evening within the  University. The unique thing about this edition is that some individuals that have contributed immensely to the establishment of this Association will be recognized with awards. There will also be a special event for the Director of Sports of the University, Dr Abiodun Salami who will be retiring from the services of the University after serving as a student, footballer, coach, lecturer and administrator. It will be a fun packed event " the boss rounded up.

The University of Ibadan has produced a number of athletes and footballers of repute including but not limited to ex Super Eagles stars Mutiu Adepoju and Dimeji Lawal, current 3SC Coach Edith Agoye, ex junior international goal keeper Christian Obi, Adebayo Gbadebo (Thailand based coach), Victor Uzoho (Finland based coach), Dr. Robinson Okosun (Super Eagles Psychologist), Prof. Adekunle (BOT Chairman), Festus Adegoju (Chairman, Nigerian Coaches Association,  Oyo State chapter), Barr.Rotimi Alli and Ex Abia Warriors FC Technical Director - Patrick Ngwaogu, amongst others.

Sack rumour won't distract Shooting Stars - Rasheed Balogun

The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) has refuted a report on social media and few mushroom sports websites, that HIS Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde had ordered the club to sack one of its players. 

The blogger had on Tuesday, published a report where he allegedly claim that Adeyemi,  a son of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyan, was dropped from the team at the order of the Oyo State Governor.

 

Astute football administrator par excellence, Rashid Balogun 'Ekule Kule' who piloted the Oluyole Warriors to gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after it triumphs at the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super 8 play-off in Enugu, said there was no iota of truth in the report, as its cheap blackmail to rubbish the fantastic gesture by  Oyo State Government towards the club.

According to 3SC General Manager, "Football is a practical thing in all climes, you will agree with me that it's a normal routine that at the end of every football season, all positively driven clubs will take time to access the depth of their squad. 

"They look at the Key Performance Indexes (KPI) of all their players during the football calendar, those found to have recorded good KPIs will be asked to stay and begin preparations for the new season while those considered as surplus requirements would be asked to leave or rather placed on the transfer market. 

"The Oluyole Warriors management did no wrong when it asked the coaching crew to undertake such process. 

" I can authoritatively confirm to you that the said player was not dropped, the list of players dropped has not been published. The few that left the club are only those who came forward for their release papers.

People should learn how to separate sports from politics.

"It's negative for critics using Bloggers to now conclude that it was a witch hunt on the said player, then quoting that after a big wig in the state had personal issues with the Governor, so the player became the victim of the fall-out. 

"How would the Governor who works round the clock every day be keeping tabs with numerous developmental projects in the nooks and crannies of Oyo State be more interested about Shooting Stars retaining or dropping a player.

"That statement is fallacious and whoever was quoted to have said so is been petty and childish. It's not as if Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) is playing politics with the club and never has he done. 

" Shooting Stars remains a sports project of Oyo State Government and funded from taxes got from the good people of the state who are passionate and die-hard supporters of the club."

Oyo, Ilorin, in line to host Gold Cup 2017

The 5th edition of the Nigeria's most prestigious domestic league pre-season tournament, Gold Cup could be hosted by either Oyo or Kwara State.