All is set for the multi sports fiesta being jointly put together by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter and the State Athletics Association in partnership with JERONA Sports International.
The competition, tagged Oyo U-13 Football and Athletics Competition is a two day event, scheduled for May 30 and 31 at the Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba in Ibadan.
The competition, involving JSS 3 pupils and other school children who are under the age of 13, will feature football, march pass as well as track events such as relay race, 100m and 200m race.
The preliminary rounds of the football game had been played with Brightville College and Adem Secondary School qualifying for final while Generationext and Precious Academy will fight for third place.
The third place football match and athletic heats will come up on Tuesday May 30 while the finals of both football and athletics will be held on Wednesday May 31, 2023.
According to the Chairman of the Competition’s Planning Committee, who doubles as the Secretary of SWAN in Oyo State Mr Adewale Tijani, the competition is aimed at discovering and nurturing budding talents who will represent the state and Nigeria in future national and international competitions.
“As stakeholders in Nigerian sports, we are using this competition to take part in breeding future sports stars for our state and the country”, Tijani explained.
The Chairman of Oyo State Athletics Association, Dr Isaac Friday Ogada disclosed that scouts will be around during the finals of the competition to pick outstanding athletes who will be groomed for the future.
Dr Ogada hinted that a representative of an English Premiership club Southampton, Mr Leon Osahon will attend the finals of the football competition with the aim of scouting outstanding players for the English football club.
” The Head of Southampton FC International Academy Partner Programme in Nigeria, Leon Osahon is expected to lead other officials of the football club to the final of football club”, Dr Ogada said.
The Competition’s organisers further disclosed that aside medals which will be presented to the winners in various events, outstanding athletes will also go home with monetary prizes.
The grand finale of the competition is expected to be graced by ‘who is who’ in sports world among whom are the President Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mrs Olabisi Joseph, Chairman of Oyo State Sports Council Honourable Gbenga Adewusi, Chairman Oyo State Football Association Oba James Odeniran, Chairman Ibadan Football Council Mogaji Rotimi Alli as well as the Chairman Shooting Stars Sports Club Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan.
Other dignitaries expected to attend the event are National President of Nigeria Judo Federation Dr Musa Oshodi, Chairman Ibadan Recreation Club Dr Soji Tayo, Oyo SWAN Patroness Ambassador Romoke Ayinde and captains of industries.
The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Oyo State Council Chief Ademola Babalola and the Chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Oyo State chapter Mr Niyi Alebiosu are to host the dignitaries.
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