‎ORUMOGEGE CUP: FOOTBALL TALENTS TO GRAB #3.5m AS Oyo GOVERNMENT, SPEAKER, LAWMAKERS, OTHERS TO STORM OGBOMOSO SOUN’S 2ND ANNIVEESARY.

Story By: Tope Eluyefa

Orumogege 2025 football festival convener, Amos Adewale Ado has called on all stakeholders to recognize the need to continue investing in sports infrastructure, training, and talent development as the Ogbomoso is set to witness the biggest football tournament in the land.

He made this statement at a world press conference where he disclosed that Ogomoso will witness another season of football talents during the tournament where the Acting Governor of Oyo state Barrister Bayo Lawal and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin are expected to lead other special guests to the celebration of the second anniversary of the installation of His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III on Monday, September 8 which will herald the kick off of the tournament.

The kick off of the second edition of Orumogege Football Competition will come up at the main bowl of the Soun Stadium Ogbomoso. This was disclosed during a press conference addressed earlier today Tuesday by the chairman of the organising committee Amos Adewale Ado held at the Palace, Oja’gbo.

He called on all stakeholders to work together to create opportunities for our football talents to excel and make a positive impact on the image of the town.

The competition whose first edition held last year and which will feature female football this year is to commemorate the second anniversary of the installation of the co-chairman council of traditional rulers in Oyo state,  Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III who was installed on Friday September 8, 2023.

Amos noted the competition apart celebrating the monarch represents a portrayal of the attachment to sports in Ogbomoso as well as belief in the power of sports to unite, inspire and empower.

“It is another celebration of the vibrant spirit of sports in Ogbomosoland. The triumph of Orumogege One has made it the most anticipated football festival in our ancient city.

“Orumogege Football Festival is a testament to the power of football to unite, inspire, and empower our community.”

He emphasized the competition aims to discover and nurture talents.

“As we showcase the talents of our young footballers, we recognize the importance of nurturing and developing their skills. We honor their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, which have brought them to this moment.

“Sport plays a vital role in shaping the minds and bodies of our youth. Through sports, we teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. It fosters a sense of communal unity and promote healthy living.”

Ado alluded to Ogbomoso’s rich sports heritage mentioning some big names in football especially, players and administrators, who hailed from the town.

“Ogbomoso has a rich sporting heritage. Many of Ogbomoso’s sons and daughters have excelled in sports such as late Layi Lagbemiro and Tunde Bamidele who were key players in the then Green Eagles at different times, Oladunni Oyekale who played in the Under -17 and Under-20 World Cups winning silver in 1987 and 1989 respectively. Seyi Olofinjana though not an indigene used the Ogbomoso platform to play for the Super Eagles.

“There are others, but we want to create an enabling environment for greater excellence in sports. We have also produced football administrators and coaches who made national and international impact. Orumogege Football Competition aims to stimulate interest in sports through various activities and rewards.”

He noted if young sports talents are discovered and nurtured the community would hope to gain from it in the future.

“Through this we can hope to reap the fruits in multiple in the future. When our youths reach stardom at the international level, they will benefit themselves, their families and loved ones and the community that nurtured them.”

To attract fabulous prizes, the final will come up in December during the Cradles Carnival. First positions in either categories will smile home with ₦1m each, while first and second runners up will grab ₦500, 000 and ₦250, 000 each.

Dignitaries expected at the kickoff according to the event’s chief organiser include Oyo state Deputy and current Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke; lawmakers representing Ogbomoso zone at the state and national levels, among others.

Sponsors are called upon to partner in the competition to make it bigger and more enterprising.

“As we unveil the second edition of Orumogege Football Competition, let us also recognize the need to continue investing in sports – infrastructure, training, and talent development. We call on sponsors and well-to-do citizens to support this initiative to make it bigger and more all-encompassing in terms of variety of sports.

“Let us work together to create opportunities for our football talents to excel and make a positive impact on our community.”

Also at the event were Mr. Aina Ayobamiji Ojo, chairman of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival pre-event committee and who is CEO of Talking Drum Hotel; Hon Rasaq Atanda a.k.a. Razor; Hon Bello Abayomi, FA vice chairman Ogbomoso zone; Comrade Adeniran Adebayo a.k.a. Babs; Salam Muhammed and Mrs. Funmi Ajagbe (Queen Sharon).