The city of Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, is gearing up for the second edition of the Orumogege Football Tournament, an event organised to commemorate the second anniversary of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, on the throne.
At a press briefing on Thursday, the chairman of the Organising Committee of the tourney, Amos Ado, said the tournament is a continuation of the tradition set last year when the inaugural edition was hailed as a huge success.
“Orumogege Football Festival is a testament to the power of football to unite, inspire, and empower our community,” Ado stated.
He explained that the competition was designed to serve as an annual ritual marking the monarch’s installation anniversary while also discovering and nurturing football talents within the city.
“As we showcase the talents of our young footballers, we recognize the importance of nurturing and developing their skills. We honour their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, which have brought them to this moment,” he said.
According to Ado, the tournament has been expanded this year following popular demand to include a female category. Aside from gift packages, the last six teams standing will be “rewarded handsomely.”
The tournament will kick off on September 8, 2025, at the main bowl of the Soun Stadium, Ogbomoso, where all matches will be played. The grand finale is scheduled for December during the annual Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival.
Several dignitaries are expected to grace the opening ceremony, including the acting governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin; the State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke; federal lawmakers representing Ogbomoso zone; and Senator Yunus Akíntúndé, representing Oyo Central, among others.
Ado also highlighted Ogbomoso’s long-standing sporting tradition, recalling great men such as the late Layi Lagbemiro and Tunde Bamidele, who once featured for the Green Eagles; Oladunni Oyekale, who won silver at the FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups in 1987 and 1989, respectively; and Seyi Olofinjana, who rose to play for the Super Eagles after honing his skills in Ogbomoso.
He stressed that the festival aims not only to celebrate these legacies but also to inspire new generations.
The Committee Chairman further used the opportunity to appeal for sponsorship and investment in sports.
“As we unveil the second edition of Orumogege Football Competition, let us also recognise the need to continue investing in sports, infrastructure, training, and talent development. We call on sponsors and well-to-do citizens to support this initiative to make it bigger and more all-encompassing in terms of variety of sports,” he urged.
In his closing remarks, Ado commended the Palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, the Ogbomoso Youth Forum, and all stakeholders for their support, expressing hope that the festival would not only promote unity but also serve as a launchpad for young talents to achieve stardom at national and international levels.
