Governments at all levels and private organisations have been urged to promote and invest more in sports and recreational activities as an avenue to engage and empowerment.
The senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, stated this, noting that engaging youth in a productive and worthy vocation like sports will make them more resourceful, creative, self-motivated and socially responsible.
The federal lawmaker spoke during the final match of a football tournament he sponsored tagged M.O.B Ekiti Central Unity Cup held at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
The former Lagos commissioner for sports 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”.
Irepodun-Ifelodun FC and MOB Queens FC emerged winners of the male and female categories of the competition respectively, which attracted teams from across the five local government areas that make up the Senatorial district, and were rewarded the cash prize of N1 million each.
First runner up and second runner up teams of both categories also received the N750,000 and N500,000 cash prizes for their effort.
Bamidele revealed that some of the talented footballers discovered in the previous football competitions sponsored and organized by him in the state have produced players playing for big teams locally and internationally.
“These include 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”.
The deputy governor, Chief Christianah Afuye who represented governor Biodun Oyebanji, immediate past deputy governor, chief Bisi Egbeyemi, the Secretary to the state government, Alhaja Dr Habibat Adubiaro, former APC state chairman, Chief Jide Awe, the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko among other top government functionaries graced the occasion.
He reiterated his commitment to empowering youths through various initiatives including training programs with a view to making them self reliant.
Senator Bamidele who is seeking re-election to the Senate assured the government and people of the state of his continued support urging the people to support the Biodun Oyebanji administration to succeed.
He also promised to send players of the top three teams in both categories on a training program with an empowerment package of fifty thousand Naira each.
