Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Wednesday inaugurated the new management boards of Osun United and Osun Babes Football Clubs, charging them to take the state teams to top leagues in the country.
Oyetola, who inaugurated the boards at the Exco Chamber, Governor’s Office, Osogbo, also asked the new board members to work harmoniously and use the platform to launch the state into the comity of outstanding clubs and athletes in the nation.
He said: “I want to charge you not only to take the football clubs to the top league but to also produce players that will represent the nation, win trophies and enter into international reckoning.
“Beyond this, the boards must endeavour to run the clubs as business and public relations instruments in accordance with the international best practices.”
In his acceptance speech, the new President of Osun United, Ademola Adesina, lauded efforts of the state government in sports promotion and development.
Adesina said the support of the government in sports had resulted in successes, whereby Osun United won bronze in the 2012 FA Cup in Nigeria and other athletes, who are now representing the country at various global events.
He assured the state government of the readiness of the boards to enter into partnership with foreign clubs and agents to sign players from the club, which in turn would generate income for the state government.
He said: “We will build on the legacy of Late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and put in more effort to make the teams income generating agencies.
“I can guarantee that if we get sufficient fund to recruit good players, take care of their welfare and other administrative responsibilities, Osun United will qualify for the Nigeria Professional Football League and even be representing the country at the continental championships.”
The programme climaxed with the formal presentation and recognition of Osun star athletes, who had represented Nigeria at international events in Spain, India, Korea, England among others, as well as the presentation of the State’s AITEO/FA Cup Trophy, won by Osun United, to the governor.
Trending
- NPA secures $700m facility from Citibank to rehabilitate Apapa, Tin-Can ports
- CSOs to EFCC, others: Don’t desecrate the courts while fighting corruption
- Why we’ve not paid stipends of Niger Delta ex-militants – Amnesty Office
- Eko DisCo reiterates commitment to improved service delivery
- Transcorp Hotels sells Calabar subsidiary
- FA, Premier League agree to scrap FA Cup replays
- Alake: Tinubu reforms yielding results
- NAPTIP arrests ‘Reverend Sister’ for allegedly trafficking 38 children