Sports247 has discovered a vibrant hypeman, Bolaji Bale, who is fast becoming a household name in the Ikotun area of Lagos, and can be adjudged as Nigeria’s first professional commentator in grassroots football.
This is in sequel to information passed on by the vibrant football enthusiast himself, as he disclosed that he earns a living from regularly running commentaries and posting viral content online.
Although he is known professionally as ‘Bolaji Bale,’ Sports247 gathered that his real name is Jimoh Ahmed and he hails from Offa in Kwara State, but grew up in the Sango-Otta area of Ogun State, where he attended Iganmode Grammar School.
However, for anyone who thinks Bolaji Bale is loafing around, it would surprise them to learn that he actually has two BSc degrees – one in Marketing from the University of Ibadan and the other in Human Kinetics at Tai Solarin University.
The vibrant grassroots football commentator, who is a prominent feature at the annual under-15 competition organised by Seamoriow at the Islamic area of Ikotun, said he has a strong passion to encourage budding talents by hyping them during matches.
He disclosed further in an exclusive chat with Sports247: “I played football when I was young, and that’s how I got the name ‘Bale’ from a former player of Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid (Gareth Bale).
“I could not go far in football because I come from a family that insists on us going for education, and that’s how I got two BSc certificates from different universities.
“I first went for Marketing at UI and, because of my strong interest in football, my brother told me I also needed a certificate in sports. So, I went to Tai Solarin University to study Human Kinetics.
“I did not have the opportunity to play as much as I would have loved to. That’s why I decided to encourage young boys and girls who can still play by running commentaries at the grassroots. It all started as a joke, but now I’m doing it full-time.
“I run commentaries for a living, and I also post content online. It’s all about making people happy at the grassroots and talking about young talents who will become our stars of tomorrow. The grassroots is where future stars grow.”
Sports247 gathered further that Bolaji Bale is the official commentator of the Seamoriow annual under-15 football competition that usually holds during the long summer holiday of schools across Lagos State.
This year’s edition has expanded its tentacles, with competing youth clubs coming from as far as Ojodu-Berger and Surulere, with huge crowds gathering on a daily basis at the arena most popularly known as Islamic Field.
