Bamidele Advocates More Investment In Sports Promotion

By Joseph Daramola

The three tiers of governments and the  Private sectors in the Country have been tasked to invest more in the promotion of sports and recreational activities especially among the youths.

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The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial district, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele gave the charge at the final match of the M.O.B Ekiti Central Unity Cup which was held at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.

He stressed that when youths are productively engaged in a worthy vocation like sports and recreation, they become more resourceful, creative, self-motivated and socially responsible. 

Bamidele also revealed that products of his previous football competitions organized in the State have produced International and Local Players.

According to him, he said, “I have consistently taken interest in the sponsorship of football competitions and other activities in Ekiti State and those efforts have yielded good results”.

“For instance, some of the gallant products of our previous football competitions have become local and international football stars today”, he revealed.

“These includes Babatunde Bello (now in Egypt), Alimi Sunday (now in Turkey), Sikemi Adisa (Ekiti United), Wale Makanjuola (Ekiti United) and Seyi Akinyemi (Ekiti United).

“I am persuaded that many female and male football stars will emerge from this competition also and I will not hesitate to continue to encourage and sponsor them until they become great sources of pride to us in Ekiti State”.

Meanwhile, after all the hostilities, Irepodun/Ifelodun FC emerged the winner in the Male Category of the Unity Cup, which cuts across the five local government areas in Ekiti Central Senatorial district, and was awarded the cash prize of N1million after defeating Ado-Ekiti FC with the goal score of 3-1.

The Ado-Ekiti F.C which emerged as first runner up received a cash gift of N750,000 while Are FC (Ijero-Ekiti) emerged as second runner up in the competition with cash prize of N500,000.

In the female’s category of the Unity Cup, MOB Queens emerged as the winner with a cash gift of N1 million while Tripple W FC emerged as first runner up with a cash gift of N750,000 and Golden Queen FC of Ado emerged second runner up with cash gift of N500,000. 

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The youth competition which featured male and female teams that represented various local government areas in Ekiti Central Senatorial District was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Mrs  Christianah Afuye who represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State; also present was the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; former APC State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe as well as the Secretary to the State government, Alhaja Dr Habeebat Adubiaro and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Utilities, Professor Bolaji Aluko among several other top ranking government officials in the State.

Bamidele who reiterated his commitment towards empowering the youth through various initiatives includes training programmes with a view to making the youth diversify their energy also promised to send each of the players who played for the top three teams in the male and female categories to a training Programme with an empowerment package of fifty thousand Naira each.

Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele who is seeking re-election into the Senate assured the government and people of the State of ceaseless people oriented programmes with a call on the people to accord the present Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration all the necessary support to succeed.

Senator Bamidele who pledged the unflinching support for the State Governor and the government also appreciated the support of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ekiti State Chapter, the Coaches Association, the Referees Council and the State Sports Council for their efforts at ensuring a successful and glamorous youth soccer competition.

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There was also male and female marathon exhibition as some of the National Athletics champions displayed the stuff they were made of, to the admiration of the spectators.

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