By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

As Telu Football Club in Osun State celebrates its 5th anniversary, sports have been described as a unifying factor that can bring nations and communities together.

The 5th anniversary of the establishment of Telu Football Club, Iwo, was held over the weekend in Iwo, with its founder, Engineer Taoheed Alamu, describing football as “a game that everyone should get involved in.”

The founder of the football club, Mr Taoheed Alamu, described the event as memorable.

The event was marked by the presentation of awards and recognition to notable supporters of the club in the Osun community.

He stated that sport is one way of developing society and communities for effective functionality.

The founder of the football club affirmed that sporting activities build individuals’ strength, stamina, and speed, while also improving their mental and physical health.

The activity, which was a three-in-one programme, included the graduation ceremony of footballers sponsored to tertiary institutions and Arabic schools by the club’s founder, and a freedom ceremony for those who had learned various trades.

Additionally, certificates were presented to 18 Arabic school graduates, 10 technical college graduates, 2 HND holders from Federal Polytechnic, Ede, and 12 graduates of various trades.

Earlier, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, urged affluent individuals in the country to emulate the approach and methods of the owner of Telu Football Club, Engineer Taoheed Alamu, in youth development.

He commended the founder for establishing and equipping the football club for youths in the community.

He also praised Alamu’s passion for football and his sponsorship of students to achieve their academic goals in both Western and Islamic education.

The monarch added that learning trades of their choice is the best approach to preparing youths for a meaningful future.

The royal father, however, charged the beneficiaries of this good gesture to make judicious use of the opportunity provided to them and to be more productive in their immediate environments.

In a welcome address delivered by a management member of Telu Soccer Outfits, Alhaji Yusuf Asafa (popularly called EBA), he appealed to players and officials of the club and Alamu Football Academy to always exhibit good behaviour and make self-discipline their watchword.

In his own remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Lai Olurode, commended the parents of the sole sponsor of Telu Football Club, Iwo, for providing him with education and proper home training, which shaped him into a considerate, compassionate, and patriotic individual in society.

Concluding his speech, he urged the youths to be determined to succeed so they can be useful to themselves and society at large.

On what motivated his philanthropic gestures, the computer engineer-turned-football promoter said he was giving back to the community and, at the same time, appreciating Allah’s mercy in his life.

He disclosed that the secret behind his success and steady progress in the project was due to the unwavering support and understanding of his wife.

The Wazir of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States, Sheikh Yaqub Abdul Baaki, and the Ameer of Jamaat Tahawun, Sheikh Daud Imran Molaasan, stated that the fear of Allah and an understanding of the teachings of the Holy Quran are the guiding principles for Engineer Taoheed Alamu.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to 32 notable supporters of the football club.

The former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the Asiwaju Musulumi of Iwoland, Alhaji Liad Tella, and the Chairman of Ayekoooto Communication, Engineer Abdul Jeleel, who spoke separately, said that governments at all levels should provide adequate and modern sporting facilities. They added that this would encourage sportsmen to give their best in their various events.

Present at the occasion were Dr Sirajudeen Al Asru Bilal, CEO of INAAYATULLAH Travels and Tours Limited, Iwo; Engineer Lasun Olaniyi, Chairman APC Iwo Local Government; Alhaji Mutiu Abdul Azeez, Sanmori Adini of Iwoland; Magistrate Khadijat Oloyade; and Mr Taofeek, Secretary of the Osun State Football Association, among others.