Ex- Oyo Commissioner, Afonja organizes football competition for youths in Ogbomoso, harps on unity, talent discovery for sponsorship* ..As winner set for largesse ahead of final July 6

As part of efforts to unite youths across the five local governments in Ogbomoso zone, the Oyo former commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Abdulrahman Raphael Afonja (PARA), has kicked off 2024 football competition for teeming youths.

The competition, tagged, ‘Afonja Unity Cup’, is to foster social cohesion and unite the entire Ogbomoso communities through sporting activities, as well as to promote physical activity and talent discovery.

Declaring the competition open at the popular Soun stadium, which features participants drawn from the 50 wards from the five local government areas that made up Ogbomoso zone, Prof. Afonja said it was intended to keep the youths together in love and harmony and to keep them away from crime.

Afonja, who is known for his numerous charitable deeds and enormous contributions to the growth of Ogbomoso town, urged the youths to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

He emphasized the need for the youths to avail themselves with the opportunity for them to flourish and showcase their talent for discovery.

He added that football is a powerful tool that unites people of all interests, ethnicities, and religions in joyful celebration, noting that the competition would not only encourage physical activity but also talent discovery and healthy competition among our young population.

The PDP chieftain equally urged the players to take the competition seriously as there could be Victor Osimeh, C Ronaldo; Lionel Messi, Austin Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo in them.

He said: “Today, we are kicking-off the Afonja Unity cup basically to unite our youths, bring communities across the five local government areas together and showcase local talent.

“We want to encourage the youths on sporting activities and to bring them together in love and harmony regardless of religion or behaviors.

“I believe participants will take the competition very serious, so that talented one will be sponsored to play in club side in and outside the country, as well as represent Nigeria in the near future.

The occasion was attended by Oyo NFCA Vice Chairman, Coach Dapo Adelakun; Ogbomoso North House Leader, Hon. Popoola Olakunle; House Majority Leader Ogbomoso North LG, Hon. Tewogbola Diekola; Alhaji Akeem Sanni; Ibadan NFCA, Adeyemi Adewale; Coach Adeyobi Adeyinka; Coach Idowu Oladejo, Ogbomoso South; Coach Moses Surulere, among others.

The tournament which ends on July 6, would have Prizes for each category of winner even as Prof. Afonja stressed that each participant will be given a consolation prize.

Highlight of the event was the kicking off of the ball by the former commissioner for works and transport and a match competition between Ogbomoso North vs Ogooluwa which ended 3-1 while Surulere thrashed Ogbomoso South to a 3-1 victory.