The die is cast and Ekiti State is agog as the eagerly anticipated Dr. John Kayode Fayemi football competition for U-15 boys and girls in the state begins today across five match venues in the state.
And the excitement in the state football community is further buoyed by the reaffirmation of support for the competition by various agencies of the state government, including the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, and the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Speaking with the media in Ado-Ekiti ahead kick off of the competition, Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof. Adio Afolayan said; ” You know, sports is encompassing. It promotes friendship, engenders peaceful co-existence, amongst other things.”
“Any reasonable government and its agencies must therefore support such initiatives like the JKF Youth Cup. As it is also in line with the five pillars of this government. And I can assure you that we are willing to give more support to the organizers of the competition,” he added.
Speaking in the same vein, Chairman Sports Committee, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Olatunji Joseph, commended the organizers of the JKF Youth Cup, while also assuring that EKSHA will commit financial resources to help the organizers achieve the dreams for the competition.
Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege, enthusiastically charged all football stakeholders and lovers of the game in the state to come out in their numbers to attend matches to be played across different parts of the state.
He describes the JKF youth competition as a new beginning and a process of discovering the next generation of Ekiti football stars.
” Today, we start a new beginning. Initiating the process of discovering the next generation of Ekiti football stars. It is important for us to remember why we are doing this.
” We are doing our best to plant a tree, so our kids can enjoy tomorrow the shade, when it is sunny and very hot,” the highly resourceful football administrator remarked gleefully.
” I implore all football lovers to take their kids to go watch a match, have fun and support your local government team,” he further enjoined.
Olanlege went on to reveal a line up of the dignitaries that shall undertake the ceremonial kick off at various match venues and they include, Hon Abiodun Fawekun, representing Ido/Osi constituency 1 in Ekiti State House of Assembly, and who also doubles as Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Sports, will do the kick off at Elo High School, Aiyetoro Ekiti;
At Omuoore High School, Omuo Ekiti, Hon. Ojo Clement, APC Chairman, Ekiti East Local Government will do the kick off ; HRM, Oba Adebayo Adewole, JP, Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom will take the kick off at Ijero Ekiti center, while APC Chairmanship Aspirant in the upcoming Local Government Election, Hon. Chief Mrs Motunde Fajuyi will do the kick of at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti.