….Ex-Super Eagles Star Arrives Ondo State for Today’s Final game in Oka-Akoko.
A former Super Eagles’ Star, Victor Ikpeba has arrived Ondo State to grace the final match of the 2024 Akogun Annual Football Competition in Oka Akoko slated for today, saying he is optimistic that grassroots football competitions like this can produce world class stars.
Ikpeba who said he is a product of grassroots football, commended Akogun of Okaland, Hon. (Dr) Olugbenga Omole for initiating and financing the competition in the last seven years to discover young talented footballers.
On his arrival in Ondo State yesterday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hosted Ikpeba and his team, even as Hon Omole applauded the governor for ensuring no hunger protest was held in Ondo state through his creative engagement of youths.
The Final comes up today Friday 2nd August, 2024 at Ojomirin High School Agba, Oka Akoko.
Speaking at a news conference in Akure organised by Hon. Omole, the former Super Eagles player said he is in Ondo state to the final of the Akogun Football Competition, as part of his contributions of encouraging grassroots football in the country.
Ikpeba said, “I am a product of grassroots football and ex-interantionals should use a tournament like this to support grassroots football where young talented footballers can be discovered.
Ikpeba, who also said for his teammates to have graced the occasion in the past, showed that the competition was on the right track of discovering more talents for the country.
“It’s a privilege to be in Akure, I am here to support Akogun Gbenga Omole for what he has been doing, I think this is the sixth edition, i am also a product of grassroots football.
“Personally, I do believe that though i have stopped playing,i still get myself involved in football, I am still part of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, so it’s our role to support grassroots football.
“So when the honourable contacted me and I saw what he has been doing in the past six years, I was impressed and I think there is no better way to give something back to the community and see how you can develop these young boys and girls.
“I know the people love their football in Ondo State, I decided to come and my teammates have been here before to support what he is doing. We are here to support what he is doing and it will be a privilege to be in Akoko.
“I want to commend him and also appreciate the governor, he saw us yesterday, I want to thank the people of Ondo state, it was peaceful when we got here yesterday,” the 1996 Olympics gold medalist said.
During the press conference, Akogun Olugbenga Omole said “we are here in respect of the Akogun Annual Football Competition ongoing in Oka Akoko, whose grand finale is upon us.
“Ever before i ventured into politics, I was a football lover and still proudly one. Those who know me will attest to this. The need to improve on communities and engage our youths made me think of ways we can execute youth empowerment programmes while also uniting them.
“What other way is widely accepted apart from healthy competition? Football came to mind and after discussing with my team and some stakeholders, the Akogun Annual Football Competition was birthed in 2018.
“For the past 7 years we have been investing in our youths through Football and I’m very optimistic in no distant future the dividends will come. No doubt it’s a capital intensive venture but I’m determined to sustain this competition and make it bigger every year.
“The whole idea is to promote unity and love, peace and progress among the youths. It is also an avenue to showcase the talents inherent in Oka Akoko. We ensure this by bringing in talent scouts and coaches, who watch these youths play and pick out potentials from the tournament.
“We also have great football figures, legends and superstars grace the occasion to encourage the youths. They share their stories and insights so the youths can see greatness in themselves.
“Over the years, we have had the likes of Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai come down to grace the occasion. This year, we have the legendary playmaker, the Prince of Monaco himself, VICTOR IKPEBA live in Ondo State.
“Their presence and other soccer scouts has yielded results as we have had talented players exported to join clubs and teams outside the shore of our state.
“Football is a big business globally spinning over $4B income in 2023 and it’s projected to rise to $5.65B by 2031, we want to be part of this and with proper grooming the talents discovered in this competition can be turned to stars and this will rub off on their families and communities.
“My Dream ultimately is to produce world class stars from Ondo State.
It is my utmost gratitude to be so honoured to have been able to bring these men to the event.
“I also thank His Excellency Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, who hosted us last night for his support. The Olubaka Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON too for his support and of course, gentlemen of the press. How can I forget my family especially my wife who has to endure the budget cuts in the house as I find funds to sponsor the tournament.
“I also thank our Super Star Victor Ikpeba for braving the roads despite the uncertainty surrounding safety in the current situation in the country. He showed an enormous amount of faith in this project and his love for the game by being here tofay. I also thank everyone who has supported this cause at one time or the other,” Omole said.
