Sports Remains Very Strong Platform Through Which We Can Empower Our Young Ones – Chief Ajewole

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) president-general, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, has emphasised the need for sports activities to be promoted in the ancient city and all across the country, as he says it remains a strong platform through which young people can be empowered.

Ajewole stated as much during the official launch of Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation in Ibadan, Oyo State, during which a seminar was also organised to mark the occasion, with more than 150 budding football coaches in attendance.

The CCII’s leader stated further during the event at Moremi Hall of Academy Suites in Oke-Ado area of Ibadan that the foundation’s founder and chairman, Mr. Temitope Ademola Obideyi, who is based in the United States, has set a very laudable venture in motion.

Obideyi, who joined the event virtually, expressed appreciation for the presence of notable personalities from the city’s sports, traditional, academic, and cultural sectors to launch the foundation, which he said will use sports for youth development, human empowerment and community transformation.

Dignitaries present included the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Adegboyega Sanni; Oyo State Football Association vice-chairman, Comrade Isaac Olawale Ayangbile; Coach Michael Oladeni, among others, while 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning-team member, Felix Owolabi led the inauguration.

Owolabi was joined by the chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami; his predecessor with The Oluyole Warriors, Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro; and Oyo State governor’s deputy chief of staff, Honourable Kazim Adeyinka Adeniyi (aka Bibire).

While commending Obideyi for establishing the foundation, Ajewole said the project has the potential to create opportunities for young people and strengthen sports development in the state, then added: “This is a timely and commendable initiative.

“Sports remains one of the strongest platforms through which we can discover, develop and empower our young people. What Obideyi has started deserves the support of every well-meaning son and daughter of Oyo State.”