By Kanu Samuel
The Chairman of the Ondo State Football Association (FA), Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, has said the absence of major companies in the state is hampering the growth and development of football.
Dele-Ajayi made this known during the association’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), which also marked its first year in office. The event was held at Club Elan in Akure.
He noted that although the state had recorded notable achievements in recent competitions, the FA was still grappling with financial constraints.
“A lot of activities have taken place and the state government has recorded successes in sports. We won the gold medal in football and also secured a silver medal in the women’s category at the Niger Delta Sports Festival,” he said.
He explained that funding remained the major challenge confronting the association and appealed to the state government to reinstate a monthly subvention to help the FA carry out its programmes.
According to him, many states rely heavily on corporate sponsorship to run football activities, a support Ondo State currently lacks.
“The major problem of the Football Association in our state is finance. If you look across the three senatorial districts — North, South and Central — we do not have big companies like those in Lagos and some other states that can support football development.
“In the past, there was always a monthly subvention for the FA. We would like to appeal to the state government to restore that support,” Dele-Ajayi said.
He also appealed to the government to provide an 18-seater bus to ease the movement of teams for competitions and other football engagements. He further urged the government to expedite work on the new stadium in the state to enhance football development.
In his goodwill message, the Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Henry Omoyofunmi, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance football development in the state.
Omoyofunmi, who was represented by Jonathan Obatola, said the gathering of football stakeholders provided an important opportunity to review past activities and chart a progressive path for the growth of the game in the state.
According to him, football remains one of the most effective tools for youth engagement, social cohesion and talent discovery.
He added that the state government recognises the crucial role of the Football Association in grassroots development, talent identification and the promotion of sportsmanship.
A football stakeholder and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Gbenga Omole, also assured the FA of the support of the current state government.
Omole congratulated the FA leadership on their first anniversary in office and urged them to continue promoting grassroots football development across the nooks and crannies of Ondo State.
Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council, Evelyn Lebi, expressed optimism about the growth of football in the state, noting that strengthening grassroots development remains key to reviving the state’s football team.
The FA leadership later presented cash prizes to the two finalists of the 2023 Governor’s Cup, which could not be played due to the renovation of the Sports Complex at the time and other circumstances.
State FA chairmen from Lagos, Ekiti and Osun were also present at the Annual General Assembly.
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