The fourth edition of Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke memorial football competition on Sunday kicked off at the Osogbo City Stadium with Orolu Football Club defeating Osogbo FC in the Opening Match.
Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke memorial football competition is an annual football competition organized by Hon Bamidele Salam representing Ede North, Ede south, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal constituency.
The football competition started around 3:00pm and lasted for 90 minutes.
Orolu FC team won the match with 1-0 after Osogbo FC lost several attempts to score.
While speaking with newsmen, Hon. Salam narrated the achievement and the benefits the football competition has brought to the State.
He stated that the competition started four years ago and they’ve discovered numbers of talents, listed and sponsored the major leads across the country.
He said “I remember last year we had about two or so of players that participated here. Been enlisted by several clubs, we have also had the opportunity of identifying stars in various wins of the soccer game.
“It has also enhanced the relationship among youths in the federal constituency, because when they come like this in an atmosphere of friendship, love and competition it seems to bond them together and above all keeping alive the memories of the first civilian governor of Osun state, Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke after whom this competition is named.
“This are some the things we have achieved and it has actually raise the bar in our youth football in Osun state.”
Bamidele Salam continued by appreciating the state football association, the planning committee and every other stakeholders for working together to make this event a success in the last four years.
“I’m looking forward to a very exciting and productive fourth edition of the otunba Isiaka adetunji Adeleke football competition”, he added.
Speaking on the benefits the football competition has brought to the state. Salam noted that its becoming a flagship of youth football competition, and it is the most constant
“It’s also the most engaging so it raises awareness on the place of football in the state and also it help to develop the Various aspect of the competition.
” Even the officiating, because when referees and other officials are able to get more matches to officiate, they improve, the players themselves improve. When they hold the various preliminary in the various local government and zones.
“It also helps to identify new talents in those area, alot of people came to different locations to watch. In watching football they bring people together, they also sell, so economically it has also has its benefits. Its an all round thing. Football is the main thing when you talk about sport and youths in Nigeria.
“There should not be any foul play, and they must participate in the spirit of oneness, in the spirit healthy competition.
“I encourage them to always strive for the very best, there is no end to excellence, if you’re very good now you can become better, so once they start each competition should be an improvement, of the previous one,up till the final competition that we’re going to be having on the 15th of January by the grace of God”, he added.
Chairman of the planning committee, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Osun state Governor on Media, Hon. Oladele Bamiji, in his words reiterated that its the fourth edition, of the annual otunba Isiaka adetunji Adeleke memorial football competition
“It has which has been holding for four years ago now, today is the kick off for this year’s edition and we hope like we use to have, it will also be a fantastic journey for us, till the 15th of January next year when we will be having the final at this same venue.
“Today we’re having Osogbo local government football team, squaring it up with their Orolu local government counterpart, they’re the one raising the curtain on this year’s edition.
“It’s a knockout football, one team must go out today and another will progress. We are beginning today, and that’s how we do it, till the 15th of January next year.
“Each local government in Osun state is represented by a team and that of area office, so in all we’re having 31 team in the competition. The technical team of the competition will do the features”, he said.
