By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
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 counterparts with 4-0 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 has rested since 2006.
YSFON South/West VP that is popularly called Oluaye in his remarks, 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, which has taken over the full sponsorship of Ramat Cup which is annually organized by National YSFON in memory of late General Muritala Mohammed, saying late MKO Abiola deserves such honour, considering his contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and Ogun State.
“Don’t forget that Abiola owned a football club based in Abeokuta (Abiola Babes), he was the first club owner that increased his players’ salary by more than 200 per cent, and was also the first to give car loans 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.
Also speaking 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.
