The Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council, Hon. Oladimeji Abimbola, has expressed his readiness to support the fourth edition of the Adu Unity Football Competition.
Abimbola stated this while receiving members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Adu Unity Football Competition in his office in Akure, the state capital.
“We started the maiden edition together and, since then, I have been supportive of the competition,” he said.
He commended the sponsor of the competition, Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu, popularly known as Cubana, for his consistency in promoting grassroots football.
Abimbola added that sports, particularly football, remain among the best tools for keeping young people away from social vices.
“On behalf of the Ondo State Sports Council, I assure the Local Organising Committee of the Adu Unity Football Competition of our support. We are going to support the successful organisation of the competition,” he said.
He advised the organisers to expand the competition across all 18 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu as an individual has expanded beyond Ondo Central Senatorial District, making it necessary for all 18 local government areas to be represented.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Raymond Abdulsalam, thanked Abimbola for receiving the committee and congratulated him on his appointment as Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council.
He disclosed that the competition is scheduled to commence in October, with participants expected from all 18 local government areas.
He said: “This is our fourth year of coming here to seek the support of the council. Three General Managers have hosted us, and now that we have you as the Chairman, we have no doubt in our minds that this year’s edition will be more successful.
“You are one of us, and you have shown this through the warm reception you have given us,” Abdulsalam said.
According to him, this year’s competition will be the fourth edition and has been consistently sponsored by Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu (Cubana).
“Our plan is to make this year’s competition an improved edition of the previous three editions by ensuring that all 18 local government areas participate,” he said.
Abdulsalam noted that sports development should not be left to the government alone, stressing the importance of private-sector involvement in identifying and nurturing talents at the grassroots.
“We cannot leave sports development at the doorstep of the government alone.
That is why Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu (Cubana) is joining hands with the government to discover the hidden talents that abound at the grassroots,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Chairman’s portrait in his office.
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