In a bid to promote sporting activities at the grassroots, the governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated the ODATIWA youth empowerment football competition, an initiative of Sparkling Eagle Sports Consultancy Limited.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, performed the inauguration of the state and local organizing committees in Akure, on Thursday.
He commended the organizers of the tournament for keying into the state development agenda of engaging youths through sports and entertainment.
The governor expressed optimism that the competition will help discover raw talents across the state for global exports.
He assured of his government commitment to deploy sports development as a driver of economic growth, calling on private individuals to partner with the state government.
“In walking the talk, our government has taken some giant steps to develop the sports sector. Recently we gave approval for the sun of N980m for the renovation of the Ondo state sports complex in Akure and other sports infrastructure across the state” the governor said.
Earlier in his opening address, Convener of the ODATIWA youth empowerment football competition, Akin Akinbobola, lauded Aiyedatiwa for being a sports-friendly Governor.
Akinbobola said all football clubs from the ward to state level will be given the chance to participate in the tournament so as to capture all categories of youths in the 18 council areas.
He called on well meaning sons and daughters of Ondo state to support the football competition which is a link to produce the next football star at the global stage.
