Elder Sunday Bisi, the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Osun State, kicked off the Governor Ademola Adeleke Cup in Ijebu-Ijesa, with over twenty-two (22) teams jostling for the trophy across wards in the entire Ijesa North Federal Constituency.
Governor Adeleke, who was represented by the party chair, Sunday Bisi, among others, took the symbolic kick-off to launch the annual Governor’s Cup, which was sponsored by Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based lawyer.
The event was well attended by Fuji maestro, Taye Currency, Nollywood stars, Tayo Amokade and Okele, the Elegboro of Ijebu-Ijesa, Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye, the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa and chairman of Ijesa North Traditional Rulers, Oba Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, Hon. Diran Odeyemi, the chairman of the Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, a lawmaker representing Oriade State Constituency, Hon. Kanmi Ajibola, the Osun State Chairman of Internal Revenue, Hon. Sola Adewumi, the PDP state PRO, Hon. Areola, Hon. Niran Atidade SA, and the Osun State Governor, Hon. Tola Faseru, Commissioner for Agriculture, among others.
The Governor’s Cup is expected to feature in 22 wards in Ijesa North Federal Constituency, where several communities are expected to compete in a series of matches in the coming weeks. The winner of the tournament would win a cash prize of two million naira (N2 million), the runner-up would win a cash prize of one million naira (N1 million), and the third position would win a cash prize of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000).
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Elder Sunday Bisi, commended the legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, for his visionary initiative towards youth empowerment and community development.
He also described the initiative as a wonderful approach to promoting unity, togetherness, and love among youths.
“The administration of Governor Adeleke has been noted for its focus on youth and sports development, and the tournament aligns perfectly with those priorities,” he added.
He lauded Barrister Olajengbesi’s commitment to community development and expressed hope that the tournament would become a cornerstone of discovering and developing future sports personalities from Osun State.
The sponsor of the football tournament, Pelumi Olajengbesi, while addressing journalists, stated that the initiative is aimed at creating an avenue for young people to display their God-giving sports talents.
He further stated that through the tournament, youths can be inspired to strive for excellence both on and off the field.
Olajengbesi, who disclosed that there is more to be done in making football a major thing in the state, added that the organization of the tournament is one of the major steps taken in repositioning football in the state.
The Elegboro of Ijebu-Ijesa, Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye, and the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, in their separate remarks, described the importance of community-driven projects like the Governor Ademola Adeleke Cup in promoting peace and development.
Both royal fathers, while commending the sponsor, Pelumi Olajengbesi, for uniting the youths of the federal constituency with the football tournament, agreed that sports have a unique ability to bring people together, transcending social and economic barriers.
