By Saheed Afolabi
The sponsors of grassroots sport competitions who are mainly individuals told ECHONEWS that their aim for sponsoring competitions at the grassroots is to take the youths off the streets and discourage them from engaging in social vices.
They said they painstakingly fund the competitions annually to put smiles on the faces of the youths by engaging them in sport activities and taking them away from crime and drugs.
MEET THE SPONSORS
Fatai Tijani, popularly known as Oloke, a resident of Oshodi, has been sponsoring sport competitions at the grassroots for over five years in Oshodi. The competitions he sponsors are named after him such as Oloke Soccer Fest and Oloke Boxing Championship which hold annually at Owoseni Primary School and Jalisco Stadium, Oshodi.
While speaking with ECHONEWS, Oloke said: “I sponsor grassroots competitions to take the youths off the street by engaging them with sports.”
Another prominent sponsor of sport events at the grassroots is Oluwasegun Owolabi popularly known as Jogo who also lives in Oshodi.
Aside owning a club at the grassroots, he also sponsors Jogo talent hunt competition which has been held yearly for the past three years.
Jogo told ECHONEWS that he sponsors grassroots sport competition because of the love he has for football and to give the youths a platform to showcase their talents.
He said: “The reason I sponsor sport competitions at the grassroots is to give the talented youths a platform to showcase their talents because they need someone to motivate them and it’s also a way of giving back to the community.”
Cyprian Ukpai sponsors the annual CY Unity Cup which has gained popularity among Lagosians despite having its roots in Oshodi.
The CY Unity Cup has been on for over a decade in the grassroots and it is nicknamed the grassroots ‘World Cup’ by fans.
The Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Monsuru Bello (Obe) is the only local government chairman who sponsors the annual JK Estate Unity Cup. The competition is played among the residents of Jakande Estates.
