Developing grassroots football has been described as one of the best tools to unite and take youths off social vices if well-packaged and invested.
A Football enthusiast and sponsor of the 2023 D’ Royal Football Club (DFC) Off Season Tournament, Mr. Mathew Olaniboji, stated this at the draws of the maiden of the competition tagged: Eight- Teams Tourney held in Akure, on Sunday
Olaniboji said that he decided to organize and sponsor the competition to contribute to the development of grassroots football in the state, saying,” government can’t do it alone.”
He added that a total of eight teams would participate in the maiden edition of the competition that will kick off on Tuesday at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
Olaniboji assured all the participating teams and officials of their safety, assuring adequate security for participating teams.
“We are not envisaging anything bad, but we just have to put a preventive measure in place for the safety of the officials, because football is a game of passion.
“I admonish all the teams to cooperate with the organizers so that we can all achieve the set goal of contributing to the development of the round leather game in our state together.
“Our target is to discover budding talents that cut across the nook and crannies of the state and ensure we nurture them to stardom,” he said.
A Proprietor of one of the participating teams in the competition, Mr. Ayokunle Oluwatope, commended the organizers for deeming it fit to bring a laudable event to herald talents in the state.
“My team is here to participate in the maiden edition of the competition, and we pray for a better outing,” he said.
The coach of Victory Lions FC, Bamidele Tommasson expressed optimism that his team will host and win the competition,
“With the preparation on the ground, I can assure you that the competition will be one of its kind in the Ondo State.”
Also, his party coach of Ijapo Ages FC, Olaleke Karimu (Bora), who a few months ago defended a grassroots competition they won in 2021 said his side will improve on their performance in the competition to ensure they have a good outing.
“All I can say is that we are not going let our fans down in this competition, we will present a strong to measure up with other teams in the contest.”
Victory Lions will lock horns with Barracks in the opening match of the tourney, Tubaba Football Academy tackle SGIC FC in the second match, while the Group B top seed, Ijapo Ages FC will face Weli Weli FC and FEMA FC go all out against CELICA FC in match day 2
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