..holds 2024 edition of annual football competition

The 2024 edition of the Akogun Annual Football Competition will wind up today at Oka-Akoko in the Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Briefing the press in Akure alongside stakeholders in the sports sector, the organiser, who is the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Transport, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, noted that the football competition was birthed in 2018, and this year marks its sixth edition.

According to him, the aim to improve communities and engage youths led him to think of executing youth empowerment programmes while also uniting them through the football competition.

“No doubt it’s a capital-intensive venture, but I am determined to sustain this competition and make it bigger every year.

“The whole idea is to promote unity, love, peace, and progress among the youths. It is also an avenue to showcase the talents inherent in Oka Akoko. We ensure this by bringing in talent scouts and coaches, who watch these youths play and identify potentials from the tournament.

“We also have great football figures, legends, and superstars gracing the occasion to encourage the youths. They share their stories and insights so that the youths can see greatness in themselves. Over the years, we have had the likes of Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju, and Peter Rufai gracing the occasion. This year, we have the legendary playmaker, the Prince of Monaco himself, Victor Ikpeba, live in Ondo State.

“Their presence and that of other soccer scouts has yielded results as we have had talented players exported to join clubs and teams outside the shores of our state.”

The former lawmaker affirmed that football is a big business globally, generating over $4 billion in income in 2023, and it is projected to rise to $5.65 billion by 2031. “We want to be part of this, and with proper grooming, the talents discovered in this competition can be turned into stars, and this will positively impact their families and communities.

“My dream ultimately is to produce world-class stars from Ondo State. It is my utmost gratitude to be so honoured to have been able to bring these men to the event. I also thank His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who hosted us last night for his support, and the Olubaka, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, for his support, among others.”

He therefore called on individuals and organisations to show interest in joining him to sponsor the tournament to further boost the annual programme as a way of social responsibility and commitment to sports.

Also speaking, the former international footballer, Victor Ikpeba, who commended the organiser for his passion and support towards discovering talents, said that he is a product of grassroots football as well.

Ikpeba noted that he is very impressed with such competitions as there are no better ways to develop the youth than by engaging them.

He assured his support for the competition to transform football talents and discover more to further add value to the sector.

He called on the government at all levels to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in organising football competitions as a way of discovering talents to boost the number of footballers at the national level.