The Oyo State government has commended the the owner and Chairman of Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center, Engr. Dotun Sanusi for his personal effort towards promotion of sports and in particular, female football in the state.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Isaac Omodewu and his counterpart from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Yomi Oke gave the commendation during the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of MASM U-17 Female Soccer Tournament organized in honour of Madam Muslimat Abegbe Sanusi 10th year memorial anniversary.
The competition, which had participating teams from 15 states of the federation was put together by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) in collaboration with Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center.
The Commissioner for Land and Housing stated that it is imperative to commend effort of the Chairman of Ilaji Stadium and the organizers of the competition for deeming it fit to organize the competition with all aims channeled towards uplifting sporting activities in the state.
Isaac Omodewu, while acknowledging human and material resources that have been expended in bringing the participants from 15 different states of the federation, said that history will continue to remember Engr. Sanusi for good, especially in his effort towards assisting the promising talents and giving hope to the downtrodden.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Yomi Oke admonished the participants and organizers, as well as spectators to focus more attention on the spirit of the competition and the possibility of promising talents that will be discovered in the course of the competition, rather than emphasizing on who is going to win the competition.
He appreciated the organizers, Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center for the availability of up-to-date facilities and the level of preparation put in place for the success of the competition and YSFON for taking back her role in the promotion of youth sports in the country.
In his keynote address, the Oyo State Chairman and South West Zonal Vice Chairman of YSFON, Mr. Rafiu Alabi Oluaye, Commended the Ilaji Stadium and Resort Center and the state government for providing enabling environment for this kind of competition.
He noted that all the participating teams were in the high spirit to showcase their bundle of talents to the world. The YSFON boss charged them and their supporters to allow the spirit of sportsmanship to guide them all through the competition, rather than seeing it as do or die affair.
The opening match of the tournament which will be held between 1st and 7th July, 2018, was between Oyo State team and Rivers State team and it was ended in three goals apiece.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
