By Femi Atolagbe

 The sponsor of the Secondary School Competition, Favour Adesida has disclosed that the purpose of organising the competition was to promote healthy rivalry, bring back the good old days memory.

Adesida urged students to focus on their study, saying it’s easy for them to marry football with their education and become successful in life.

He made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the competition tagged: Favour Secondary School Competition held at the Akure township stadium.

He said: “There are so many reasons for chosing to sponsor this competition, especially among secondary Schools in Akure metropolis as we want to use it to promote healthy rivalry and bring back the good old days that we enjoyed in time past.”

He commended the Ministry of Education for the approval of the competition and also to encourage schools to participate in the maiden edition.

While urging the participating schools to play according to the rules of the game ,he lauded the organising committee, Ondo State Football Association and the Akure South Football Council for working tirelessly to ensure the kick off is successful.

According to him, “We have a lot of exciting team and individual prizes to be won by participants in the competition and we will urge the students to be of best behavioural value. Also there would be free trial for the best player of the tournament outside the country.”

The Chairman of Akure Football Council, Mr Abayomi Ogunlade has commended the sponsor for his vision to revive secondary school sports in the state, adding that if the state had many people sponsoring competitions, enough players would abound.

He urged philanthropists in the state to join hands with the government to develop sports in the state.

“Government cannot do it alone, therefore I call on individuals, private sector to join hands with the government at all levels to develop sports in the country.

Meanwhile, Igoba Secondary School lost 0-2 to Saint Dominics High school in the opening match of the competition, while  Commercial Secondary School thrashed Omooluorogbo 4-0 in the second match of the day.

The game master of Saint Dominics High school, Mr Aderemi Olaloye has praised his players for played according to instructions , saying the players made him proud with their display from the blast of  the referee whistle to the end.

Olaloye also commended the organisers for their vision to revive the school competition in the state, noting that they have performed brilliantly.