By Femi Atolagbe
Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Henry Omoyofunmi, has assured participating teams that the O’datiwa U-17 Football Competition will serve as a platform for young players to showcase their talents and open doors to greater opportunities.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during the 2025 O’datiwa U-17 Football Draws and Sensitisation Programme held in Akure, the state capital.
Omoyofunmi said the tournament aims to discover budding talents across the 18 local government areas of the state.
A total of 36 teams from 18 local government areas will compete for honour in the competition.
“Through this competition, we hope to discover and groom football talents at the grassroots level who can be integrated into the Rising Stars Academy and, subsequently, the Sunshine Stars Football Club,” he stated.
He added that the tournament goes beyond football, as it is designed to foster peace, unity and a sense of purpose among youths.
“The essence of today’s event is to guarantee fairness and impartiality in how teams are grouped — to remove any suspicion of bias or manipulation in match fixtures, and to build trust among participating teams, coaches, and fans,” Omoyofunmi explained.
“This process ensures that the competition remains credible, transparent and merit-based.”
The commissioner urged all participating teams to approach the competition with integrity and sportsmanship, saying,
“Play fair, play smart and play with pride for your local government and for our dear state.”
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Evelyn Lebi, Director of Sports in the Ministry, congratulated representatives from the 18 local government areas for being part of the initiative.
She noted that the competition was designed to positively engage young people and steer them away from social vices, adding that it would serve as a talent-discovery channel for the state.
“Without this kind of grassroots competition, it would be difficult to discover new talents,” she said. “I urge all teams to play according to the rules of the game.”
Dignitaries at the event included Prince Ademola Adegoroye, former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Prince Biyi Poroye, Chairman, OSOPADEC and Chief Alex Oluremi Ajipe, Chairman, Klick Konnect Networks. Others were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Hon. Kehinde Akinrotoye (Bonsue), and the SSA on Student Affairs, Kelvin Solomon.
They all commended the Commissioner for his leadership and initiative to harness grassroots talents through the O’datiwa U-17 Football Competition.
“Your appointment is not a mistake — you are the right man for this ministry,” they said. “What you are doing now is building the future of football in Ondo State, and we pledge our full support.”
Other football stakeholders at the event also applauded the innovation behind the competition and wished the Ministry a hitch-free and successful tournament.