The maiden edition of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival in Ondo State on Monday came to a colourful close at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Sports Complex, drawing a large crowd of youths, sports lovers and stakeholders from across the state.
The sports festival, organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), brought together athletes from the various zones of Ondo State to compete in football, athletics, table tennis and other sporting events, with the aim of discovering and developing young talents.
Speaking at the grand finale, the Ondo State Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the festival was conceived as a platform to identify promising athletes, promote unity and discipline, and constructively engage young people through sports.
According to him, sports remain a powerful instrument for nation-building and youth development, adding that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of youth empowerment and productive engagement under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Yusuf-Ogunleye expressed appreciation to the sponsor of the festival, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his consistent support and encouragement, describing his role as instrumental to the success of the event.
He explained that beyond sports, the festival also served as a means of mobilising grassroots support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while offering young people an opportunity to showcase their abilities in a competitive but friendly atmosphere.
The GMT Director-General also commended the management of FUTA and other tertiary institutions across the zones for making their facilities available, despite the logistical challenges encountered during the festival.
“Our vision is clear: to mobilise grassroots support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while enlightening citizens on policies designed to strengthen the economy, create jobs, secure lives and restore national confidence.
“Our mission is to engage, educate and empower citizens peacefully and patriotically, ensuring that governance is seen not as distant politics but as a shared responsibility,” he said.
The event was chaired by a former Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure.
The festival ended with the presentation of trophies, medals and prizes to outstanding athletes and teams, marking a successful conclusion of the sporting fiesta.
In the football event, Okitipupa Zone emerged overall champions after edging out strong opposition from other zones. Akoko Zone finished second, while Akure Zone placed third.
Athletics competitions produced impressive performances across categories. Temitope Bello of Akoko Zone won the men’s 100 metres race, finishing ahead of Olumide Daniel of Ondo Zone and Saliu Toheeb, also of Akoko Zone.
In the 400 metres race, Sunny Mumini of Akoko Zone clinched first place, followed by Wisdom James of Akure Zone in second position and Owolabi Victor of Ondo Zone in third.
The combined 100 and 400 metres event was won by Nelson Joseph of Akoko Zone, with Wisdom James of Akure Zone and Adeyeye Richard of Ondo Zone finishing second and third respectively.
Other events also recorded notable performances, including the traditional Ayo Olopon game, where Omosowon Idowu emerged winner, while Akindele Metinukuro and Olowolafe Abiodun placed second and third respectively.
In the table tennis competition, Ilesanmi Olatunji of Akure Zone secured first place, with Timothy and Fusho Abiodun finishing second and third.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of GMT in Ogun State, Hon. Tola Banjo, said the group’s collective goal was to work together to showcase the achievements of President Tinubu, noting that the festival was not a campaign activity.
He commended the initiative, describing it as a veritable tool for promoting grassroots development and youth engagement.
Former Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, said the programme highlighted the achievements of President Tinubu, urging the region to rally round the President and allow him to complete his tenure.
Dignitaries at the event included the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal; the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bauchi State Command, Oloyede Oyerinde; and the Women Coordinator of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), Hon. Yetunde Adeyanju.
Also in attendance were members of the GMT state working committee, GMT leaders from across the South-West, local government coordinators, party stakeholders, and former commissioners in the state.