Philanthropist, CDC hold grassroots football to discover talents in Agbado Oke Odo community 

Philanthropist, CDC hold grassroots football to discover talents in Agbado Oke Odo community

By Kazeem Akande

Agbado Oke-Odo Community in Lagos State has began a grassroots football competition a bid to engage the youth and discover talents channel into productive ventures and foster community unity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition which kicked off on Sunday was organised by a Philanthropist Mr Israel Akinwale in collaborations with the Joint Community Development Association (CDA) in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Akinwale in his remarks said that the competition would feature 16 teams representing 14 major communities, the All Progressive Congress (APC) youth wing, and the LCDA’s sports department.

The organiser added that the competition was designed to engage youths positively and steer them away from societal vices.

“When people are idle and doing nothing, they tend to venture into things they are not supposed to.

“We are trying to catch our youth young so they don’t get involved unnecessarily. Looking at the rate of drug abuse and smoking, it is very alarming leading to kidney and liver failures.We don’t want our youth to die young,” Akinwale said.

He added that the tournament was entirely non-political, focusing strictly on youth empowerment, talent discovery, and community unity.

Akinwale said that the competition utilised a knockout format to encourage participating teams and ease financial burdens with a consolation token of N10,000 was awarded to teams knocked out in the early stages

“This will increase to N20,000 at the quarter-finals and N30,000 at the semi-finals. Grand prizes include N150,000, a trophy, and medals for the winner; N100,000 and medals for the runner-up; and N50,000 and medals for the third-place team.

Mr Olubowale Kasunmu, the CDC Chairman Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA in his remarks praised the standard of play during the competition highlighting an opening match where Akinola Joint CDA defeated Ajasa 4-1.

Kasunmu noted that the tournament provided a solid platform for local talents to launch professional careers nationally and internationally.

Dr Aminat Igie, the Education Secretary Alimosho Local Government speaking during the tournament lauded the community-driven initiative for bridging the transition gap for students and youths.

Ige said that the development was all-inclusive, welcoming youth from both public and private schools without segregation.

Mr Olamide Fadipe, the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, commended the private-public partnership (PPP) model.

Fadipe noted that the council remained committed to sustaining sports development through regular events like the grassroots tournaments.

“The council and the local organisers are actively safeguarding the future generation from health crises and criminal influences,” he said.