ONDO State Football Association has been commended for the inauguration, as well as the cardinal objectives behind the Ondo State League Management Company.
At a formal presentation of the OLMC to the NFF in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, extolled the vision and commitments of the OLMC, and showered encomiums on the Ondo FA for the initiative.
“I must state that this is the first time that a State is taking this bold step, which is in tandem with the vision and mission of the present NFF administration. The present NFF administration has short –term, medium –term and long –term objectives, and sustained development of the game from the grassroots level is the long –term.
“I am happy to see that you are working together with the Ondo FA, and also want to advise that you should work harmoniously with the Ondo State Referees Council, and to only make use of registered referees, while you also build a mechanism that will ensure continuity. Your efforts are both commendable and worthy of emulation,” Sanusi said. He also charged the new body to make transparency and accountability their watchwords.
In presenting the OLMC, which he inaugurated in March this year, Chairman of the Ondo State FA and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, stated that the new body is committed to working assiduously to see Ondo State produces the most players in the various National Teams in the near future.
OLMC Chairman, Prince Dapo Ajibade, explained that a total of 16 teams have already registered for the first season that starts in October, while the pre-season tournament that is currently on has presaged an excellent season.
“I can tell you that from the pre-season tournament that is on, we believe that everything will work out brilliantly. We have passion to discover talents in Ondo State and to run football professionally without government support, and also to pioneer a genuine social platform to promote sports tourism.”
The OLMC is committed to providing 15 pairs of soccer boots per team, two sets of customized jerseys per team, 50 jerseys for referees and monthly allowance per team. The Ondo State Premier League matches will take place at the Akure Township Stadium, Ondo Township Stadium, Okitipupa Township Stadium, Owo Township Stadium and Ikare Township Stadium.
Other members of the OLMC are Ibukun Faloye (vice chairman), Ade Gbangba, Fidelis Fabidun, Henry Babatunde, Daramola Ife, Tunde Igbasan, Michael Fabonmi, Sola Oke, Aderemi Adetula (secretary) and Timilehin Oni (administrative secretary).
