By Adekun Olujacobs
Twelve teams within and outside Ondo state will participate in the 12th edition of a grassroot football competition organized by “Tubaba Football Promotion League” which holds at the Housing field, Ijapo in Akure the state capital.
The twelve teams are Afunbiowo FC,Royalty FC, wonder exchange FC,Barrack eagles,Signature FC,Hon. Adeleke FC,Florence Joshua FC,Ijapo Estate Eagles,Tarok FC Jos, NPFL Stars,Akure City and Ogbu sports FC.
Speaking with newsmen at a seminar and press briefing to sensitize coaches,officials and players ahead of the league, Comrade Ayokunle Oluwatope expressed the readiness of the organizers to put in place a top notch grassroot soccer league that will be the envy of all.
Oluwatope highlighted the previous success of the tournament which he noted has produced world stars such as 2013 AFCON winner Geoffrey Oboabona, Sunshine stars captain Sunday Abe, Alaba Adeniyi, Kehinde Adedipe and others .
He said one of the aim of the competition is to provide an opportunity for raw talents in the nooks and crannies of the state to showcase their skill to the world and launch themselves to stardom.
The sponsor of the league, Mr Omodara Tosin Richard said his aim of investing in the league is to give back to the society that made him.
“I want to contribute my quota to the development of football and to support the initiative of the organizers who had been running the competition for over a decade.
In his lecture ,a retired FIFA referee Mr Henry Afolabi Ogunyamodi challenge the players to be disciplined,dedicated and give their best of commitment.
This committed he noted may shoot them to the peak of their football career.
The widely traveled football Referee enlightened participants of some basic football rules and guidelines urging them to see the league as an opportunity to showcase their talent.
On his part,an Olympian and a gold medalist at the commonwealth games, Coach Lawrence Adegbehingbe want state and federal government to do more in harnessing the talents in the Nigerian youths.
Coach Lawrence also used the medium to appeal to the federal government to renovate existing sports facilities,construct new ones,improve the welfare of sports men and women, provide kits and recreation centres to inspire and attract them to sports instead of being used as thugs in the country.
The league will have each team play eleven matches,at the Ijapo housing field Akure from Friday 16th October 2020 to Sunday 3rd January 2020.
All matches will be played only on weekends ,Friday,Saturdays and Sundays respectively.
Trophy,Cash prizes and other individual awards will be presented to first three teams and other deserving players and officials.
