Arapate advocates a new dawn of sporting activities in Ijesaland.

Arapate advocates a new dawn of sporting activities in Ijesaland.

The Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Olugbenga Fadunsin Igbaroola has advocated for a new dawn of sporting activities in Ijesaland as he conveyed a meeting to deliberate on the importance of tackling social vices amongst the Youths through sports at his Chieftaincy House. 

While welcoming the attendees, the High Chief appreciated them for their patrotism to the development of Ijesaland as he charged them to see sport as one of the avenues to unite the Youths regardless of their backgrounds, religions or tribes. Also, he raised his concern on the poor state of Ilesa city stadium as little or nothing can be done without the resucitation of the stadium.

The Representatives of the President of Ijesa Sports Club, Chief Amb. Bayo Fagbulu and Coach Ayo Odidi separately showered encomiums on the Convener who is an ex-Footballer for his initiative.

Chief Amb. Bayo Fagbulu who is United Nations Ambassador of Peace posited that if the subject matter will be fully addressed, more relevant stakeholders must be contacted as he also corroborated the High Chief's point by describing sports as the major activities that unite the Youths in every part of the world. Also, he advised the Convener to work with Coach Ayo Odidi and come up with a template without any political colouration.

In his own part, Coach Ayo Odidi who is the National Technical Director of DART in Nigeria identified lack of Game Masters in Secondary Schools as one of the factors constituting to the poor sporting activities not only in Ijesaland but in the entire Osun State. He added that lack of professionalism and indiscipline amongst the Coaches can not be ruled out when addressing problems facing various sports anywhere in the world. He advised the gathering to jettison the idea of resuciating the Ilesa City Stadium as it has been mortgaged by the State Government and charged the gathering to liase with Hon L. B. Ayeni MHR to fastrack work on the ongoing mini-stadium at Ogedengbe School of Science in Ilesa while also acknowledge that of Ijesa North sponsored by Hon. Wole Oke, located at Ijebu-Jesa. According to him, there is a Team called Ijesa United whose objective is to revive the glory of Ijesaland through football.

The Member representing Osun East Senatorial District at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Medayese Fagbowore could not hide his joy as he recognized sporting activities in Ijesaland as one of his plans since he was inaugurated as a Youth Parliamentarian. He expressed his plan to unite Ijesa Youths through table tennis and other indoor games while he promised to conduct a football competition between the Youths of Ijesaland and their Counterparts from Ife.

Others in attendance were Comrades Ilesanmi Samuel, the National President of the Federation of Ijesa Students' Union (FISU) and Sunday Odeyemi, the National General Secretary of Ijesa Youth Forum who acted as Secretary.

The Convener, High Chief Olugbenga Fadunsin Igbaroola appreciated every attendee for their contributions while he promised to reach out to more relevant Stakeholders for another deliberation soonest.