Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has kicked-off the O’DATIWA Under-17 Football Competition, reiterating his administration’s commitment to transforming sports into a powerful platform for youth empowerment, unity and economic growth across the state.
The Governor restated his commitment at the Akure sports stadium, during the kick-off of the statewide tournament, themed “Catching Them Young for a Greater Future in Sports”. It was aimed at discovering and nurturing young football talents across the state, particularly the underprivileged ones.
In his remarks, Aiyedatiwa said the competition was more than just a sporting event, but also a reflection of his administration’s vision to invest in the dreams of the younger generation and build a future where every young person can find purpose and pride through sports.
According to him, “When young people are engaged productively, idleness and social vices are reduced, while unity, teamwork and a sense of belonging across communities are strengthened”.
He further assured that his administration would continue to invest in the promotion of education, skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, alongside sports, to ensure the contribution of youths in the state’s development.
The governor also commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for its dedication to organising the tournament, as well as the coaches, referees, sponsors and stakeholders who contributed to making the event possible.
Declaring the competition open, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged parents, community leaders and corporate organisations to support youth-oriented initiatives, saying the collective responsibility of grooming disciplined and visionary young citizens must be shared by all.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Henry Omoyofunmi, appreciated the governor for his constant support for grassroots sports revival and youth empowerment in the State.
He said the O’DATIWA Under-17 Football Competition was designed to serve as a platform for discovering underprivileged but talented young players who could become the future of Nigerian football. He encouraged participating teams to play with discipline and respect, noting that beyond trophies and medals, the real essence of the tournament lies in character, teamwork and resilience.
