By Gbenga Adeleye
The Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has reiterated his support and commitment towards developing grassroots sports in Ekiti State.
Bamidele said this at the grand finale of the MOB Ekiti Central Unity Cup comprising both male and female at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti on Saturday.
The former Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State charged Governments, State actors, business moguls and investors to invest more in the promotion of sports and recreational activities especially among the young ones to get them busy, more productive and socially responsible.
“There is, of course, no gainsaying in the fact that sports is a major panacea to youth restivenss, community clashes and social vices in our society.
“I quite understand and deeply appreciate the value of sports as a great source of income earning, a wealth creator, a symbol of unity among diverse peoples and nations, as well as great tool for engaging the youth, thereby curbing the menace of youth idleness, restivenss and social disturbance.”
The soft spoken Bamidele emphasized that when youth are productively engaged in a worthy vocation like sports and recreation, they become more resourceful, creative, self-motivated and socially responsible.
“Right from the time of my stewardship as a Honourable Member of the 7th House of Representatives in 2011 till now, I have consistently taken interest in the sponsorship of football competitions and other sport activities in Ekiti State and those efforts today have yielded good results.
“For instance, some of the gallant products of our previous football competitions have become local and international football stars today. These include Babatunde Bello (now in Egypt), Alimi Sunday (now in Turkey), Sikemi Adisa (Ekiti United), Wale Makanjuola (Ekiti United) and Seyi Akinyemi (Ekiti United).
“I am persuaded that many female and male football stars will emerge from this competition also and I will not hesitate to continue to encourage and sponsor them until they become great sources of pride to us in Ekiti State,” Bamidele maintained.
Over 20 million naira was doled out as prize money for winners by the sponsor, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
The grand finale was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Christianah Afuye who represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji, immediate past Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, former APC State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, Prof. Balaji Aluko, Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Utilities, and Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye among others.