By Akeem Busari
It was joy and excitement galore last week at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium, Ekiti state as youth teams drawn from across 16 local government areas in the state were given balls and other playing equipment to boost their game.
The initiative tagged ‘ One boy,one ball’ and organized by Phoenix Athletics Sports Club and in conjunction with Friends of Ekiti Football, saw over 100 balls distributed to the youths.
Several youth coaches and players expressed happiness and gratitude over the gifts which they described as ‘ historic’ in the annals of Ekiti football.
They were particularly effusive in praises for the donors who were led by the Chairman of Lagos FA and 1st vice president of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.
In the same vein, a school teacher in the state, Alabi Toluwatope Dare who donated a ball to the project stated that he was moved to donate what he described as his widow’s mite to support the laudable initiative to help boost football in the state.
Speaking at the end of the historic event, general coordinator of the project, Bayo Olanlege expressed his gratitude to the donors for supporting the initiative which he stated would greatly boost football in the state.
” We say a big thank you to all the donors as well as those in the diaspora for supporting this project. And without a doubt, it would go a long way in giving a much needed boost to the development of Ekiti football” he stated.
” Let me also assure all concerned stakeholders that there are plans to make it a yearly event. Amongst other initiatives is the youth league being put together by PASC in order to develop grassroots football in the state,” Olanlege further revealed.
