Sports
THE Chairman of the Bet9ja Ondo State Football League, Yomi Seriki, has appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists to invest in the country’s youths by sponsoring sports competitions.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Tuesday after the recently concluded Bet9ja sponsored Ondo State Football League, Seriki said that investment in sports at the grassroots would aid building indigenous talents.
He said that promoting sports, particularly football, at the grassroots would also reduce the over dependence on foreign based athletes to participate in international competitions.
“If we have three to five of this huge event, not only in football, but other sports too, it will help the society in a long way to rid unemployment and restiveness.
“We have to thank our sponsors and virtually everybody involved, especially the 70 teams and each team registered 25 players. Now look at the multiplier effect on society.
“We now have a model; the model that came out successful, so basically, going forward, we are going to build on it.
“So basically, if we have other companies, investing at the grassroots level and supporting the Football Associations, clubs playing league matches will start looking inwards for talents,” Seriki said.
The chairman said that the maiden edition of the Bet9ja Ondo State Football League had70 teams, over 1750 players and about 200 officials that participated in the weeklong event in Akure.
According to him, the teams were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state and at the end of the tournament Zion Warriors of Ondo emerged winners after defeating Barrack Eagles of Akure 3-2 on penalties after the march ended 1-1.
Meanwhile, the Director of Zion Warriors Football Club of Ondo, Olabode Adetula, commended the Organising Committee and the State Football Association led by Otunba Dele Ajayi for the success of the Bet9ja Football Lewague.
“Special thanks to our sagacious Ondo State FA Chairman Otunba Dele Ajayi for his dedication towards bringing back the lost glory of football in the state.
“Also, I appreciate the organising committee of the league under the leadership of Mr Yomi Seriki for well organised, colorful and successful state league,” Adetula said.(NAN)
A.I
Tags: Bet9ja Mr Yomi Seriki Olabode Adetula Ondo State Football League Otunba Dele Ajayi Yomi Seriki Zion Warriors Football Club
