All is set for the maiden Soccer Tournament organized in memory of the father of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, tagged: of Pa Olatunbosun Makinde Memorial Invitational Veterans Football Competition by the Oyo State Football Association in conjunction with Oyo State Sports Council.
The kick-off date; Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 was disclosed to newsmen on Thursday during a press briefing and draws for the competition held at the tennis court area, Lekan Salami sports complex, Ibadan. According to the Oyo FA Chairman, Oba Chief James Ọdẹníran, the competition is to form synergy among football coaches, retired players, football administrators, and lovers of the round leather game who are retired but not tired.
Oba Ọdẹníran in his address hinted that the aim of the tourney is also to appreciate the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde for his support of sports, especially football in the state. He commended the effort of the governor on the new look of Lekan Salami Stadium and the ongoing facelift of the other six mini stadia at Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki, Igboora, Olubadan, and Iseyin.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Makinde’s immediate elder brother and a renowned legal practitioner, Olumuyiwa Makinde commended the organizers and participating teams for deeming it fit to organize a tournament in honor of his late father, Pa Olatunbosun Makinde. The Ajia Olubadan also promised maximum support and wished all partakers an eventful outing, saying more sponsors are likely to join in supporting the event.
The maiden edition featured six teams; Ibadan City All-Stars, Ibadan Soccer Ambassadors, Apata Odo-Ona Soccer Ambassadors, Loyola All-Stars, Wesley All-Stars, and Bodija Housing All-Stars. In group A, Apata Odo-Ona Soccer Ambassadors will slug it out with Loyola All-Stars and Ibadan City All-Stars while Wesley All-Stars, Bodija Housing All-Stars, and Ibadan Soccer Ambassadors are grouped in B.
According to the organizers, the venue for the opening match is at the Lekan Salami stadium Adamasingba Ibadan on Sunday, July 3rd between Apata Odo-Ona Soccer Ambassadors and Loyola All-Stars at 3.45 pm while Wesley All-Stars will trade tackles with Bodija Housing All-Stars at 5:00 pm.
Other dignitaries present during the briefing include; Oyo State Sports Council Chairman, Hon Gbenga Adewusi, Oyo FA vice-chairman Comrade Isaac Ayangbile, and Oyo FA secretary, Kehinde Ojelowo, Mr. John Kayode, and Mr. Akintunde both Oyo FA members, and representatives of all participating teams.
