By Femi Atolagbe
The Ondo State Football Stakeholders Forum has declared its full support for the forthcoming 2025 O’datiwa U-17 Football Competition, aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents across the state.
Speaking during the draws ceremony held in Akure, the convener of the forum, Otunba Dele Ologbese, represented by a retired Permanent Secretary and former Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Mr. Joshua Folayemi, commended the initiative of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Henry Omoyofunmi, for taking football development to the grassroots.
Ologbese assured that the forum is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to ensure the success of the competition.
He described Hon. Omoyofunmi’s appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting that his leadership has already shown positive signs of impact in the sports sector.
“Your appointment is not a coincidence. You have started well, and we are confident you will excel in office,” he said.
“As a football stakeholders forum, we are always ready to offer our advice and expertise on the best ways to develop sports in Ondo State.”
He further emphasised that sports remain one of the most effective tools for youth engagement and social reform.
“Sports keep young people busy and away from social vices. There’s hardly any household without someone passionate about sports,” Ologbese noted.
“We, therefore, urge both public and private organisations to support government efforts in developing the sports sector. Government alone cannot do it; we must all contribute morally and financially.”
The O’datiwa U-17 Football Competition is expected to feature young footballers from across the state’s 18 local government areas, serving as a platform for discovering the next generation of sporting stars.