Oyo State Football Association has instituted a soccer tourney tagged ‘Play For Christ’ with the aim of using soccer to unify churches in the state and gain the minds of youths for Christ.
This was disclosed by the chairman of Oyo FA, Chief James Odeniran while briefing newsmen in Ibadan over the weekend, promising to introduce Ijhira Soccer Competition for Muslim brothers soon after the Play For Christ, saying the idea is to use football as a veritable tool to draw the youths near God.
The competition which was designed to be played right from the local government level before getting to the zones and state’s final in order to reach every nook and cranny of the State will be organized in conjunction with NITO Sports.
Churches of various denominations have been urged to visit the Lekan Salami Sports’ Complex office of Oyo FA for registration formality as teams are expected to register their players individually according to the Oyo FA boss “So that we can be accountable to every participant with reasonable rewards for the winners”.
Meanwhile, the shepherd-in-charge of the popular Celestial Church of Christ in Ibadan (CCC Onala Parish) Dr. Kolawole Olakanmi has commended the Oyo FA over the tournament while promising full participation.
He added that the development will greatly complement the efforts of church in using what is dear to their minds of the youths, which is football to lure them to Christ.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
