The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter on Thursday decorated Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Grand Patron of the body.
Speaking at the event, Oyo SWAN chairman, Mr Niyi Alebiosu said it became necessary to celebrate the governor as he has tremendously contributed to the development of sports in the state in the last seven and half years.
He said the governor’s support for the state team to the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja as well as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Crown FC of Ogbomoso was impressive not to talk of the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
“There is nothing else to do than to celebrate an icon and jinx breaker who transformed the state of sports in Oyo State,” he added.
Brightville College FC won the third edition of ‘Koseleri’ soccer competition played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
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Brightville College defeated Moslem Grammar School, Ibadan in the final 5-4 via penalties after a goalless draw at regulation time to win the star prize.
Speaking after the final, Ajimobi emphasised the need to develop schools sports to raise the standard of sports in the country.
He noted that sports talents in schools need to be tapped and nurtured to stardom, adding that Oyo State had a great future in sports, especially soccer.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition, AbdulAzeez Olatunde said that the tourney was organised to celebrate Senator Ajimobi’s birthday, who will turn 69 on December 16.
“The Koseleri Cup started in 2016 with experimental competition with eight teams and was won by Lagelu Grammar School.
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“We had 12 teams in the second edition last year and Irepo Local Government Area, Kishi emerged champions.
“It is a thing of joy that some of the products of this competition have been spotted by main team in Oyo State, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan.
“This competition has served as a platform to identify soccer talents in Oyo State because those days, Principal’s Cup used to raise a lot of talents for the state and Senator Abiola Ajimobi is committed to grass roots sports development,” he added.