BY: Aregbesola Olanrewaju, ANLG
The Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots sports development by sponsoring and hosting the Starlettes Ogun State School Sports Festival (Egba Division) held at the Wahab Folawiyo Stadium, Crescent University, Abeokuta.
The Starlettes Ogun State School Sports Festival, an initiative of 5ivemediacom, is coordinated by Mr. Alex Okonkwo, with Mr. Olatoye Olawale serving as the Communications Director.
The championship brings together outstanding secondary school athletes from across Ogun State, with competitions first taking place in the state’s four divisions—Egba, Yewa, Ijebu and Remo. Winners from each division will converge later in the year at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, for the grand finale.
The Egba Division competition featured participating schools from six local government areas namely Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi/Owode, Ewekoro and Ifo Local Governments.
Although primary education falls within the statutory responsibilities of local governments, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo extended his support to the secondary school championship in recognition of the vital role sports play in promoting discipline, healthy living, talent discovery and youth development.
To ensure the success of the event, the Chairman provided a conducive sporting environment, including the competition venue, canopies, chairs, public address system, refreshments, drinks, snacks and other logistics that made the championship colourful and memorable.
The festival featured keenly contested events including:
100 metres (Male and Female)
200 metres (Male and Female)
400 metres (Male and Female)
800 metres (Male and Female)
4×100 metres Relay (Male and Female)
4×200 metres Relay (Male and Female)
Long Jump (Male and Female)
Football (Male and Female)
At the end of the competition, Kuola Odunayo of Odeda Local Government emerged as the Overall Best Male Athlete, while Ale Elegbede Aliyah was crowned the Overall Best Female Athlete.
In the football events, Lafenwa High School, representing Abeokuta North Local Government, emerged champions in the male category, while Grammar School, Obantoko, representing Odeda Local Government, won the female football category.
The event was graced by the Towulade of Owu Akinale, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Oluseyi Ayodeji Adedibu (Otileta I), who presented certificates to some of the winners. Speaking at the event, the monarch described sports as a powerful instrument for youth empowerment, noting that it keeps young people away from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices while creating opportunities for careers and employment. He also recalled his longstanding support for the initiative, including facilitating the visit of former Super Eagles coach, Bonfrère Joe, to his community.
The Executive Chairman, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, also presented certificates to another set of outstanding athletes and commended all participants for exhibiting discipline, determination and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The festival attracted sports masters, teachers, education stakeholders and sports enthusiasts from across the participating local governments, making it a truly memorable celebration of young sporting talents.
Corporate organisations that partnered the initiative included FirstBank, Airtel Nigeria, Indomie Noodles, NTA, and several other supporters committed to sports and youth development.
Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote youth engagement, talent discovery and community development, expressing confidence that many of the athletes discovered at the championship would go on to represent Ogun State and Nigeria at national and international competitions.
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