It was commendation galore for the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, as the 2013 Ekiti Governor’s Cup finals was concluded at the weekend at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
The final match saw Ise Orun Local government football team lifting the chanpion’s trophy after defeating Oye Local Government Football club by a lone goal.
Speaking after the finals of the championship which saw the 177 wards across the 16 local government areas in the state taking part, the Chairman of the State FA, Dr Isaac Ayodele expressed his delight at the outcome of the finals which saw the Sport-loving governor took the kick-off before the memorable finals. “Our Governor has touched many lives, built roads, engaged in social welfare and pursued vigorously an 8-point agenda of governance, infrastructure, agriculture, education, health care, industrial development, tourism and employment generation,” Dr Ayodele stated.
Speaking further, The Ekiti FA boss revealed that the Governor envisioned the Ekiti Governor’s Cup 2013 to change lives through football. As the tournament has demonstrated the bleeding heart of Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi to the less privileged, creating opportunities for the Governor to hear the forgotten voices of street youths often marginalized. He commended the governor for his support for the youths of the state, saying that, the governor has continued to demonstrate his love for the youths as leaders of tomorrow with his encouragement and support for programmes of the Ekiti State Football Association.
He stated that with the success of the 2013 Governor’s Cup, the board of the state FA is poised to commence preparations for the 2014 edition, which he promised would be bigger and better. “I must sincerely thank our governor for his leadership and support for the Governor’s Cup, he has shown times without number that he is a sport-loving governor that genuinely loves the youths of the state with his backing of many different youth programmes in the state,” he submitted.
The Chairman of the Osun State Football Association, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, who was present at the finals, also commended the governor for his gesture in supporting and promoting healthy competition among the youths of the state, adding that, such championship like the Governor’s Cup will go a long way in the discovery of the next generation of national team players.
He however charged the state FA not to relent in their efforts at taking the youth off the streets to the classrooms and playing fields where better life is assured.
Aderemi Ibitoye, a fan who came to watch also commend the governor and the State FA for organizing the championship which had not held since 2010. “The governor and State FA has done so well for bring back this championship last held in 2010 with Fountain football club of Ado-Ekiti as the last winner, this will help youths to have something to look forward to each year”. He concluded.
Meanwhile, some past leaders of the game of football in the state were honoured with football awards of excellence by the State FA during the finals. They are Chief Ayo Agbebi, first chairman of Ekiti State football association, Chief Idowu Aderibigbe who was among the first generation of Ekiti Bombers FC and Chief Isaac Fatimehin captain of Ekiti Bombers FC.
