The Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday said Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti deserves great commendation for the various innovations brought into sports management and development in the state.
Bamidele, who stated this while speaking on the MOB Unity Cup football competition being played among football teams in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, noted that the governor has performed resoundingly.
The Senator, who spoke through one of his legislative aides, Gbenga Banji, said it was obvious that Gov. Oyebanji has good vision and genuine love for sports.
“This is very evident with what we are seeing through the various reforms being introduced into sports in the state.
“The transformation of the Sports Council to Ekiti State Sports Commission is a signal and indication of revolutionalising sports and making it more lucrative in Ekiti State,” he said.
Bamidele added that it was high time individuals and corporate bodies joined hands with the governor to promote sports in Ekiti State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bamidele has been leading by example by constructing standard stadiums in all the five local government areas (LGAs) in his Senatorial District.
Speaking on this, Bamidele disclosed that work has reached a considerably good level in all the stadiums under construction in the Senatorial District.
He also expressed satisfaction with the standard of play in the ongoing second edition of the MOB Unity Cup football competition.
“The motive behind the competition is to discover hidden talents in all parts of Ekiti State and market them to the world.
“I am doing this to collaborate with Gov. Oyebanji to boost the standard of grassroots sports development in Ekiti State,” the Senate Leader, who is the competition’s sponsor, said.
He urged all the teams remaining in the competition to put up more spirited efforts to fully display what they can offer as the competition gets more challenging.
Meanwhile, Isaja Football Club have emerged winners of the zonal competition in the Efon LGA.
In the final match played at Government College playing ground in Efon, Isaja FC defeated Obalu FC 6-5 through a penalty kicks shootout.
This was after a goalless draw by both teams during regulation time.
NAN reports that the championship continues this weekend with crucial matches to be played in Aramoko, Ekiti West and Ado LGAs.(NAN)
