Stakeholders in Okitipupa Division of Ondo State have appealed to the state government to establish a modern sports arena in Okitipupa township as a means of tackling youth restiveness and nurturing new sporting talents.
The call was made at the weekend during the grand finale of the maiden Aduro Football Competition, held at the Government Field in Okitipupa, a facility constructed nearly 60 years ago and now in a deplorable condition.
Those who spoke at the event included the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, Hon. Andrew Soga Ogunsakin; the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye; the Laragunsin of Iyansan, Oba Akinyomi Olasehinde; and the sponsor of the competition, Dr. Anthony Aduro, who is also the Chairman of the Tony Aduro Foundation.
Oba Adetoye recalled that many talents, especially in the soccer game have been raised in the area in the past, lamenting the deplorable state of the Government Field constructed about 60 years ago.
He identified sports as a unifying factor apart from curbing youth restiveness and discovery of new talents.
The Laragunsin said that it would not be too much for the State Government to have a sports arena in each of the Local Government headquarters, equipped with modern sporting facilities.
While Ogunsakin submitted that the task is beyond the capacity of his council, he promised to use his position to adequately connect with the State Government to make sure a befitting stadium is built in the area, adding that the importance of sports cannot be over-emphasised in the modern world.
Dr. Tony Aduro opined that sports sponsorship can only be best encouraged with a conducive arena with modern facilities on ground.
“There are stars in this area and I am fully prepared to help in fishing them out with the presence of good facilities. The purpose of this competition is to discover new talents, foster love and friendliness among the youths,” he informed.
Agbo Boys FC of Igbokoda won the maiden league series with a +12 goal difference, while Layelu FC of Ode-Aye took silver with +2 points, and Premier FC of Ode-Irele claimed bronze.
Dr. Aduro was also commended for sponsoring the tournament and for his other community development efforts, including the construction of health centres, free health outreach, solar-powered boreholes, libraries in schools, and empowerment programmes for elderly residents.
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