ABEOKUTA – Not less than 1,128 football teams are to converge in Ogun State for a 5-A-side street soccer organized by the I-House Technical Limited in collaboration with the Ogun state Ministry Of Youth and Sports Development.
Addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday, the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youths and Sports, Mr. Olamide Lawal, said the competition which will kick off on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the MKO Abiola stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta was in line with the vision of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s I.S.E.Y.A mantra in other to help the youths maximize their talents.
Lawal maintained that, street soccer would serve as an opportunity for the governor to encourage corporate organizations to invest in sports activities.
According to him, the Sports Trust Fund enacted by the governor would give room for private and public corporations to invest in sports.
He said, “The Governor is a sport-loving person who always gives room for new ideas to germinate. I am not in doubt that, the second coming of His Excellency would allow for more opportunities for our youths.
“The hosting right for the 22nd National Sports Festival is a testimony that Mr. Governor is a sports loving person and the festival host will help our athletes to enhance their potential. The Sports Trust Fund approved by the governor is another eye-opener that the Governor means business in sports and encourages the public-private partnership to drive our sports industry. The Five-Aside street soccer is coming at the right time and I can tell, it will help the state government to discover talents.”
He assured the organizers and participants that street soccer will be a reference point in the state.
Also speaking, the Marketing and Communication Integration Officer of I House, Mr. Charles Williams, said that the competition is to focus on youth empowerment to eradicate social vices and promote sporting activities.
Mr. Charles said, “the street soccer exhibition will be conducted in 20 local governments in Ogun state while engaging a maximum of 128 streets/ teams in each of these local governments.
“The tournament will go on for 7 weeks. The winners definitely will emerge from each of these local governments to battle for the I.S.E.Y.A Cup. 20 street teams will emerge from each of the 20 local governments of the state to battle in Abeokuta.”
According to him, the age limits of players that are eligible to represent each of these streets ranges between 15-45 years which means room for people to showcase their talents.
