The grassroots soccer tournament established by the Bayo Adelabu Foundation to engage and create an avenue for the teeming youths of Oyo State to exhibit their talents in a competitive atmosphere, which had commenced within all 33 local government areas in the state, has entered its second round.
The round of 16 pairing that will kick off on Saturday, 6th December, 2025, at Liberty Stadium Ibadan will see Ona Ara Local Govt tackling Oke-Ogun (4), while a team from Ibarapa East LG will confront Ibadan South West LG at the Ibadan Centre.
Oyo Centre will feature matches involving Ogbomosho North LG and Ibadan North West LG; Ibarapa North LG will also trade tackles with Oke-Ogun (3). While participants that qualified from the Eruwa Centre, Oke-Ogun (2), will face Atiba LG and Egbeda Local Govt. will be locking horns with Ido Local Govt. Teams from Iseyin Centre, which is Oke-Ogun (1), will battle Ibadan North LG and Afijio Local Govt. will face Ogbomosho South LG to know who qualifies for the quarter finals.
According to the coordinator of the tournament, Alh. Babatunde Saheed popularly known as Mr. Sport, the money-spinning grassroots football competition, was conceptualized by the Minister for Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to empower the talented football players across the length and breadth of Oyo State, as the first winners of the tourney will cart home mouthwatering cash prizes and football kits.
“Chief Bayo Adelabu, as we all know him to be, is a spirited person with great concern for youths; hence, this grassroots football tournament aims to discover young talent and promote unity among communities and to promote social cohesion among youths of diverse religious backgrounds in the state’s 33 local government areas.
Mr. Sports explained that the tournament “would unify the people, youths, wards, local government areas, and the entire Oyo state without being tribalistic or on religious grounds but to engage the youths in a positive way devoid of negative vices amongst the youths.” He added that adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent thugs from disrupting the matches.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
