BY ISAAC AFOLABI
Oijefon football club of Ile-Oluji have emerged winners of the 2021 Oijefon stadium football tournament.
A lone goal from Olaegbe Idowu in the second half of a tension soaked football final gave Oijefon football club of Ile-Oluji the much needed victory over rival Omifon united in the 2021 Oijefon Stadium football tournament finals.
Despite the heavy rain, the two teams displayed tactical soccer artistry to the admiration of spectators who also defied the downpour to catch a glimpse of the bit by bit action on the lush pitch at the Oijefon stadium Ile-Oluji Ondo state.
Speaking to journalists after the tournament, the Jegun of Ile-Oluji kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Julius Adetimehin charged youths not to relent in showcasing their talents in things that would bring honor to the town, their families and themselves be it in sports or other ventures.
Represented by the Sasare of Ile-Oluji, High Chief Adewale Rufus, the monarch encouraged the footballers to at all time embrace peace, be law abiding and shun social vices.
He also commended organizers of the tournament for their foresight, pledging his continuous support in anything that would bring development to the youth of the kingdom.
On his part, Chairman youth and sports Ile-Oluji council Professor Akin Akinyosoye while expressing delight for what he described as a successful tournament, appealed to government, organizations, philanthropists and individuals to help in the completion and maintenance of the Oijefun football stadium to attract talents and encourage sports men and women in the ancient town with interest in sports.
Also, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Professor Emmanuel Fasakin assured the people that the relationship between the school and host Community would not seize and his adminstration would ensure the facilitation of training, exchange of ideas, maintenance of the structure in their own capacity for the purpose of promoting sports and showcasing the talents in the town to the world.
Chairman planning committee of the tournament, Mr Charles Ayokunle popularly called Accurah Jah and Dr Wole Omogunsoye could not hide their joy for the successful hosting of the tournament which is the second of its kind and promised the people of a more soccer fiesta that would showcase the town and the footballers to interested clubs,scouts and academies.
According to him, eight teams from Oyo,Osun,Ekiti participated in this year’s edition of the tournament and plans are on ground to accommodate other football teams next year.
Highpoint of the tournament was the presentation of cheques, individual awards and medals to the first,second and third positions.
Oijefopn stadium football club, the winning team went home with the sun of one hundred thousand naira, Omifon united that finished second position went home with the sum of fifty thousand naira, while Buffalo FC Ile-Oluji finished third with the sum of thirty thousand naira.
Dignitaries from Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo local government area, academicians, sports administrators, representatives of corporate organisations witnessed the epic final.