The Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan will be a beehive of activities this weekend as ex-footballers of the institution hold their 8th Annual Réunion.

According to the release signed by the President of the Association Edwin Evbie, the activities will commence on Thursday with a visit to the new Sports Director of the University, Mr. Kehinde Eyiomo.

On Friday, they will visit some ailing members of the Association resident in Ibadan, and some media houses also in Ibadan. The Vice Chancellor of the Premier University, Prof. Kayode Adebowale will receive the Executive and Board of Trustees members of the Association in his office at noon same day. The members of the Association will thereafter visit some selected motherless babies home in Ibadan as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Saturday 17th December will be the climax of the Reunion with a Novelty Match at the University of Ibadan Stadium, while dinner and get together party will be held at the Trenchard Hall of the University later that day.

The Association president, Edwin Evbie said several prominent ex-football players that have passed through the University including Mutiu Adepoju, Edith Agoye, Christian Obi, Dimeji Lawal, Folorunsho Okenla, Abiodun Salami, Dr. Robinson Okosun of NFF, Mogaji Barr Rotimi Ali and Prof. Segun Adekunle amongst others are expected to grace the event. He further disclosed that an ex Super Eagles star shall be making a guest appearance at this year’s event.

The a co-educational, fully residential and specialist Senior Secondary School was founded founded in 2021.

Its second edition screening exercise to admit students into academy, kicked off on Wednesday, with students from Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, and Delta State taking part in it.

Mutiu Adepoju while giving his general assessment on the project said: “It’s fantastic; overwhelmed with what I have seen here, from the structure, facilities and environment, it is top notch. I have to thank Engineer Lanre Adeleke for what he’s doing to humanity with this project.

“This is a laudable one and I think we should be grateful for having this kind of edifice here in Osun State.

The ‘Head Master’ who had a session with the students, said further: “Am quite satisfied as we have seen different set of talents as more than 200 students enrolled for the programme.

” Sadly, we can’t pick all of them but we will do our part by picking the best. 41 students will be picked for the different sports.

“The future is bright for Lanreleke Sports Academy (LSA), as am yet to see one sports academy in Nigeria that has the kind of facilities they have.

“For it’s students, they should work hard as the sky is their limit. They have the best platform to excel while combining academics and sports together.”

Green Eagles now Super Eagles legend,
Segun ‘Mathematical’ Odegbami who also was at the screening held at Lanreleke Sports Stadium, Ileogbo, said.

“It’s a world of a difference here as the structures and facilities are well established, as it’s one of the best sports academy in the country. Once the vision and mission remains the same, I foresee a bright future for the academy.

“The turnover has been massive as over a 100 have come on their own to join those we have invited from the five states, just to tryout by showcasing their talents.

” This is a reflection of the results been achieved by the academy.

“Yes we can unearth the next football or sports star from the academy, once the right strategy and coaching are been used.”

The Osun Youth and Sports representative, Special Assistant (OYES) to Osun State Governor, Adeola Olayiwola couldn’t hide his delight too, as he did say, “The academy is a site to behold, delighted at the level of progress and the number of talents that have enrolled for the screening programme with a view of, gaining admission into the sports academy.”

It’s pioneer set of students, made up of 40, (30 boys, 10 girls), all enjoyed a full scholarship, as academic work began in October 2021.

The students aged 14-years, have the minimum educational qualification of the Junior Secondary School Certificate(Junior WAEC) or have obtained their first and second term JSS 3 results, alongside possessing special abilities to do sports, excelling in at least one of football, basketball, athletics and tennis.

All is set for the Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort Scouting and Coaching programme to go down from Saturday 1st of May through Friday 7th.

According to the organisers, the initiative was borne out of the corporate vision in nurturing football talents to the stardom and in fulfillment of its contractual agreement with Malaga CF of Spain.

The twin-packed project will be centered around scouting excercise for talented footballers and coaching clinic for coaches who want to give their careers a giant leap.

Malaga CF Academy Head Coach Martinez Trueba Marcus Antonio and Diego Martin; a FIFA certified football agent are expected to oversee the 7-day event.

While Monday 3rd of May to Tuesday 4th has been set aside for the Coaching Education Programme, the scouting programme has been scheduled to come up between Wednesday May 5th and Thursday 6th at Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Akanran, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Other notable instructors billed for the event are the former Super Eagles Coach; Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, ex- internationals like, Nduka Ugbade, Mutiu Adepoju and Gateway United Gaffer, Akeem Busari.

A sum amount of N10,500 is expected to be paid by interested players to register for the programme while intending coaches are to pay N20,000 as their commitment fee.

According to the organiser feeding and accommodation will be made free for the coaches for the two days, while accommodation alone will be free for players for the two screening days.

It’s instructive to know that Ilaji Hotels and Resort will be responsible for sponsorship of successful players and will also be providing certificate of participation for coaches.

Participants have been advised to pay into this Bank Account:6669682012 of First City Monument Bank with the name Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort.