“We have picked a strong team that should be able to perform well at the tournament in Lagos,” said Oladeji.

The squad is made up of two goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five attackers.

Fapounda Babatunde and Abdul Korede are the two goalkeepers.

Also making the cut are John Fred, Adewale Lawal, Gbenga Afolayan, Elanya Akonunju, Michael Yusuf, Ibrahim Yebiboh and Olorunfemi Sesan

Draws for Jagaban Cup will hold on Monday 14th November at National Stadium Surulere. Time is 2pm.

The Jagaban Cup will hold from November 15th to 18th at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Fapounda Babatunde, Abdul Korede

Defenders: John Fred, Adewale Lawal, Gbenga Afolayan, Elanya Akonunju, Michael Yusuf, Ibrahim Yebiboh, Olorunfemi Sesan

Midfielders: Francis Uche, Akindoyo Benjamin, Abdulrazaq Ridwan, Adekunle Adebayo, Anuoluwapo Yusuf, Davies Olaide

Forwards: Waku Paul, Aganyebi Kayode, Oyedepo Oyetunji, Owolabi Abdulsalam, Abdulwahab Afeez

Chairman Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege has assured the youths and sports stakeholders in the state that sports will thrive if they give their mandate to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

Olanlege, a member of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) congress gave the assurance during a radio programme in Ado-Ekiti ahead of Saturday’s Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election.

According to the young astute sports administrator, “I am not particularly about sports development, rather more interested in what sports can be used for the youths as it’s all about development of the youths and that’s what excites me about Oyebanji.

“We’re wonderful people in Ekiti, but we also need one major thing to add to us being Professors and that’s exposure. What sector can give you as much exposure as Sports? If we put all of this together, we all know there’s no one living in the world that does not know the importance of sports.

“For me, the APC government has given much commitment to sports in Ekiti State unlike the past government. I want to be exact as in the last four years before Kayode Fayemi became Governor, I bitterly complained of how Ekiti State athletes used their own funds to travel for sporting events and at the end, Ekiti State Government claims the glory, the state won gold medals, did well in Handball and Volleyball but at the end, that government had to go.

“Thankfully, the APC government have been able to proffer solutions to some of the problems and they have asked that we give them continueity by voting Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and in return, they will establish a Sports Commission, which off course will make things better for sports in the state.

“Oyebanji, who has not been elected Governor has also shown his zeal to make the youths thrive via sports as he gave the go ahead to host the BAO Cup that was contested for by the 16 local government councils in the state.

“He also gave assurances that his government will give total support to the Ekiti Sports Trust Fund, all in a bid to fast track the development of sports in the state.”

Speaking on the challenges facing the Ekiti FA, “I get misunderstood sometimes, when I refuse to be an idealist, for me, we need to be practical as we can be and it sometimes it seems that I am controversial. When I feel this way is wrong and this is the way that’s right, I go after it.

“We have been very lucky that all those people that really matter like Seun Odewale, Akin Oyebode, HIS Excellence Governor of Ekiti State, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, have been of good support to us.

“The Commissioner, some days ago was on a radio programme and he said lots of things have changed as the stadium is bubbling with different sporting activities, and one of the associations that has brought light to the stadium is the Ekiti State Football Association.”

A new and better Nigeria is possible despite the fact that the country is presently gripped in the claws of insecurity, poor education system, worsening energy crises due to absence of local refining of petroleum products and inadequate electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

A modern Nigeria capable of securing itself from internal and external threats, provide jobs for her teeming youth currently unemployed through a sustainable economic development plan, and reduce the scourge of poverty and corruption is possible and realisable.

The current challenges facing the country remain an opportunity for the right individuals to take mantle of leadership in the country.

Nigerians need a person of competence and compassion, someone who is very selfless and a pan-Nigerian nationalist with a track record of a life of service.

We need a true Nigerian that is accepted in all parts of the country, exposed to all parts of the country in the reality of his life, not in talks and the person must have friends in every part of Nigeria. We need a person who is interested in collegial leadership.

If elected as President, JKF will find a lasting solution to ASUU war with the federal government and Nigerian universities will be able to compete with the best in the world; our universities will attract the best students and best teachers; students will start trooping to Nigeria from all over the world; our academics and researchers will be celebrated globally for their contributions to knowledge and our children will be able to graduate at the stipulated time without any delay or strike.

JKF achievements in Ekiti State and as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a prove and testimony that Nigeria will be great under his watch. He is a man of honour, a bridge builder and patriot, who will unite the country and salvage it from its current challenges.

Dr. John Kayode Fayemi’s blueprint to diversify and reform the economy, invest in education, give adequate security and revamp the transportation system would transform the country. JKF will unite Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides if elected the president.

John Kayode Fayemi has been tested and trusted in critical areas of political leadership as two-time Governor of Ekiti State and also as two-time Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Looking at his blue print, we notice that it’s aimed at taking Nigeria out of the doldrums.

We have a man in our hands who has all it takes to make Nigeria a great nation. That man is Dr John Kayode Fayemi (JKF).

Olanlege in an exclusive interview with Sportflames Radio on T.G.I.F Freestyle Show noted that the liberal approach to governance of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi had formed the driving force for his administration as he advocated the need for football to take its course as a Non-governmental organisation.

“I personally don’t believe that football should be run by government. I think football should be a non-governmental organisation as it’s been structured at the FIFA level” said the helsman

The football administrator believes that while it’s been taunted that government should not interfere in to the politics of football ,they shouldn’t have cause in funding the game but could only provide infrastructure and enabling environment.

He noted among many other initiatives to change the face of football is the recently concluded Oba Ajakaiye U-13 football competition and the ongoing Professor Akin Oyebode Male and Female U-15 tournament.

The tournaments according to him are meant to encourage the footballers and also remind them of the ethics and values of the Ekiti people which but not limited to hard-work and integrity.

Tackling Age Cheat

The phenomenon of age cheat has eaten deep in the fabric of football dispensation most expecially in Africa ,but Ekiti FA under Bayo Olanlege have decided to reduce its manifestation by organising age grades competition.

Bayo who is also a committee member of the NFF said the effort at eradicating age cheat will help to build “a total kid” with the purpose of making the best out of their careers.

The Media’s Influence

The Chairman in the interview acknowledged the role of the media in evangelising the agenda of football in the state and appreciate how the industry has seen through their vision and helps them build the feasibility and the credibility of the FA.

Apart from the Ekiti State Bet9ja league that holds financial reward, Olanlege revealed that the FA under him would always prioritise reward for excellence with ‘capacity development’.

He explained that the FA  catchment area and unique selling promises includes giving scholarship to exceptional players and also exposing coaches who proved excellence through various competitions to advance training.

While adding that 15 male teams and 6 female clubs are currently participating in the ongoing twin- packed Professor Oyebode Football Tournament,he noted the FA is also planning to organise National U-17 tournament in honour of Dr.John Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State.

Nationwide League One (NLO) Division One side, Olukismet Football Club are set to unveil their new kits for the 2020/21 season.

The new kits, will see the ambitious side retain their traditional blue colour for the shirt with yellow stripes running across the shoulder while the short is all blue for home kit.

The away kit shirt is a yellow top with blue strip and yellow short with blue strip.

A statement from the club read that arrangements have been concluded to unveil the club new kits produced by Nigeria Sportswear giant Haggai alongside the players on Saturday February 13, 2021 at Inspiration Hotel and Suites, Ikere-Ekiti.

Fans of the Ikere-Ekiti based club will be able to see the team wearing the new jerseys in action when the NLO Division One kicks off next month.

Haggai is a sister company of Nigeria’s foremost sports equipment marketers, the popular Zenith Sports.

The leading Nigeria’s sportswear manufacturing will provide training and playing kit, to the team and will have the exclusive right to distribute dual-branded merchandising products from replica jerseys to branded face masks worldwide.

Haggai are the official merchandise partner of Nationwide League One (NLO) and also provide kit for NPFL clubs, and provides athletes with the most innovative performance apparel and accessories for a variety of sports (including inter-house sports) and other sporting accessories.

Amid the growing concerns on when the new Nigeria football season will commence, the Head Coach of Ekiti United, Ayeni Alexander has expressed the readiness of his team ahead of the next season as they continue to work hard in order to have a balance team.

Speaking to Sportspro News correspondent in Ilorin last weekend, the former Cynosure FC gaffer  said they have embarked on some recruiting excercise and pre-season tournaments in a bid to strengthen their set up.

“Categorically, as I am talking to you now the team is 60% ready for the new season if eventually they say we should start”. He said.

Against the background of the team receiving the best of the State government attention, Ayeni revealed that the team has been enjoying the support of the government but like an olivier twist will still crave for more.

Noting that every state in country have their own peculiar challenges with Ekiti United not in exemption, the former Kwara United player commended the government for paying all their entitlements as and when due since he assumed office.

“The government still needs to help us more in terms of logistics, motivation and  procurement of kits in order to make the team represent the standard it deserves as a brand”.

The team which crashed out at the  group stage of the recently concluded Ogunjobi pre-season tournament in Ilorin will now be looking forward to expand their horizon in the upcoming season of  Nigeria National League,NNL.

However, football enthusiasts in the country have grown so eager expecting  the resumption of the Nigeria top flight league, NPFL as the NNL can only starts three weeks after it’s commencement.

In the meantime, NWFL,the female top league had resumed action last week, and with the second week matches set for Wednesday 16th of December, it has further deepen the questions around what is holding down the NPFL, NNL and NLO.

“By the grace of God and with the support of the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi , I believe we will be able compete with other bigger boys in the league when the season starts” Ayeni concluded.

It was disclosed on Friday that the Ekiti State Government, through a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government asked Dr Ayodele to step aside as helmsman at the state sports council.

This was connected to a quarrel between him and the state sports commissioner, Honorable Michael Awopetu following the later’s handling of sports matters as regards athletes’ preparation for the upcoming National Sports Festival, NSF billed for Benin Edo State.

Following the inauguration of sports Festival Committees previous week by the Sports Council Chairman himself, Athletes and Officials were scheduled to have a meeting on preparation for the festival at the state Sports complex but the Hon Commissioner assumed they were going to discuss a planned protest to embarrass his office for withholding funds meant for preparation of athletes and Officials for the National Sports Festival. He then maliciously informed the state Chief Security Officer.

Sports Administrators, Coaches, athletes and members of staff of the Sports Council in Ekiti were shocked on Monday when officers and men of Nigerian Police barricaded the entrance of the sports following a false order by the Honourable Commissioner who put the state Sports Council offices at Kayode Oluyemi Stadium under lock.

Information gathered by Onward News 24 have it that Hon. Awopetu ordered the police to block the entrance of the council having got a hint that athletes were planning to protest over his refusal to release funds for their preparation for the sports festival.

Onward News 24 gathered that over 15 million naira has been released by Governor Kayode Fayemi to prepare athletes for the Festival and participate at the festival proper.

Like every other states in Nigeria, athletes and coaches from Ekiti State have been training for the upcoming National Sports Festival slated for Benin, Edo State from December 3rd to December 17th.

The contingents who have been in close camping before the lockdown occasioned by Covid19 have not received a dime as training allowance.

Feelers from the state told Onward News 24 that the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon. Awopetu has being in possession of the funds to prepare the athletes for the festival and the festival proper but the Commissioner is now bent on frustrating the athletes and officials from the state by not attending the festival alleging that hebhas embezzled the funds.

Hon. Awopetu was said to have connived with some top officials of the council to syphon the funds. Mr Adeyemi Ganiyu who is the DFA and the General Manager of the Council, Mr Deji Samo are signatories to the council’s accounts but couldn’t give account of how the funds were spent.

A staff of Ekiti State Sports Council who spoke with Onward News 24 on the condition of anonymity said the Commissioner is scared of consequences that may arise from the peaceful protest by the athletes hence his military approach to asked the council entrance to be locked up.

The source said the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi must investigate the matter and bring the erring persons to book just as he said it would amount to wasted efforts and shame if the state is not represented at the festival.

Isaac Ayodele was appointed as Chairman of Ekiti State Sport Council June 2020.

His shocking removal may have caused a major step backward for Ekiti sports.

In his few months in charge, the sports council under Isaac Ayodele initiated Private-Private Partnership towards taking sports to next level in Ekiti state.

The council organized series of training for coaches and athletes across all Local Governments in the state despite running the council with limited and personal funds.

Ayodele, a philanthropist and an astute sports administrator was former Chairman of Ekiti state Football association and one of the independent Director of the League Management Company, the organiser of Nigeria professional Football League (NPFL). He is also the proprietor of Diafa Football Academy. Staff of the Sports Council, coaches and athletes wept profusely as the news of his termination was announced

The National Sports Festival was earlier fixed for April 2020 but was moved to December due to Covid19 pandemic. It’s scheduled to hold from December 3rd to December 17th.

Chairman of the State Sports Council, organisers of the training program, Dr Isaac Ayodele who declared the coaching clinic open on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti said the trainees were expected to use what gather at the clinic to train upcoming Badminton players in their respective Local Government Areas, towns and schools.

“Sports Officers would later be trained in the rudiments of other sports like Athletics, Basketball and Tennis, with a view to transferring the knowledge to younger athletes across their local council areas”

“The sponsorship of the training is at no cost to the State Government as it was funded through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in line with the administrative style of Governor Fayemi,” he said.

Ayodele reiterated the resolve of the present administration, through the sports council, to use youth participation in sports to enhance human capital development.

A member of the board of the state sports council, Hon Samuel Dada noted that such training would assist to produce more coaches who would then bring up young athletes.

The General Manager of the State Sports Council, Deji Samo also expressed gratitude to the State Government in its efforts in boosting Sports in the State.

Samo, however stressed the need to reciprocate government’s gesture urging all stakeholders to support the efforts of government while also expressing confidence in the ability of the workforce to perform creditably.

“The Chairman hit the ground running since his assumption of office and all the staff of Sports Council were aware of his dream and have all keyed into it.”

“This dream calls for hard work and all hands must be on deck to see it fulfilled, said the General Manager.

He then appealed to the sports officers to cooperate with the Chairman and Sports Council to move Ekiti State Sports to greater heights never before witnessed.

The coaching clinic which commenced on Wednesday saw several demonstration games played by the state’s Badminton players who were co-ordinated by the State Coach, Olayinka Akinyemi.

The training which is being held at Ado Ekiti Police Officers’ Mess Started on Wednesday will end on Friday 21st of August.