The much anticipated National Under-18 Boys Football Competition tagged ‘MKO Abiola Cup kicked off at the Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode on Saturday 26th August where Ogun State team defeated their Kwara counterpart with four goals to nil in the opening match.
While declaring the tournament open, the Vice President south-west, Abayomi Alabi who represented the President of Youth Sports Federations of Nigeria (YSFON) Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna thanked the government of Ogun State for supporting the revival of the tournament that was rested since 2006.
YSFON South/West VP that is popularly called Oluaye in his remark said the competition was designed to honour the first Pillar of Sports in Africa, late Chief M.K.O Abiola for his contributions to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.
He however urged Ogun State government to emulate the Kano State government who had taken over the full sponsorship of Ramat Cup which is being organized annually by National YSFON in memory of late Gen Muritala Mohammed saying late MKO Abiola deserved such hounour considering his contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and Ogun State.
“Don’t forget that Abiola owed a football Club based in Abeokuta (Abiola Babes), he was the first Club owner that increased his Players’ salary by more than 200percent, and was also the first to give car loan to the footballers when the players of Abiola Babes in 1984 got cars and above all, MKO Abiola was a Grand Patron of YSFON while alive, so Ogun YSFON has thought it wise to revive this annual football tournament in his honour in order to immortalise him.” Oluaye noted.
Speaking in the same vein during the opening ceremony, the Chairman, YSFON Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Waheed Lawal commended the good conduct of all the participating teams during the opening event while maintaining that all the matches in the preliminary of the competition will be played at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode and the final would be held at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
