The Oyo State commissioner for Youths and Sport, Seun Fakorede has affirmed the backing of Oyo State government to the Babates 5-Aside football competition that is underway.
The youthful commissioner who disclosed this while hosting the organizer of the event at his government secretariat Agodi Ibadan Office, said the administration of Engr Seyi Makinde is open to any idea and ventures tailored towards empowering and building youth’s capacity in the State.
The football event tagged Babates 5Aside. It will be held in collaboration with Oyo State ministry of Youths and Sports. According to Chairman/Founder Babates Empire, Teslim Usman, a member of national 5aside team who had represented Nigeria in two major international 5-Aside tournaments. “We’re yet to fully embrace 5aside football in Nigeria, we only play the conventional 11-aside and as a pioneer member of the national 5-side team and only Nigerian to have represented the country in two major international 5aside competitions, we think we should give back to the community that produced us”, he noted.
Teslim added that “I think I should make an effort to create awareness for 5aside in Oyo State and Nigeria as whole where I come from and give something back to the community that produced us and discover more talent in 5aside game, as we have that talent but not exploiting the potential”.
64 teams are expected to participate in the tournament and it is open to any 5-Aside team anywhere in the country according to the Coordinator, Ayo Fadele who said the kickoff date will be announced after the completion of the team’s registration.
“Winner of this competition will get a worthwhile prize, considering the large numbers of participants and the enormous nature of the event, we’re working to make sure every participating team has a memorable experience”, said the project coordinator.
Other members of the organizing committee includes: Ayodele Demola, a technical partner, Adigun Yusuf, project secretary, Lawal Tomilayo, assistant project Secretary, Lawal Akeem, logistics coordinator, Barr Fashanu Taofeek the Legal Adviser and the Matron, Alhaja Mojisola Usman, Dr Isiaka Abiodun Salami, the Director of Sports, University of Ibadan.
