Ogbomoso stakeholders and community leaders gathered on Sunday at the Soun Township Stadium for the final match of the Babalaje Cup football tournament, organized by Hon. Muftau Open Salawu, Director-General of the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency.
The tournament, which featured teams from five local government areas in the Ogbomoso zone, was a celebration of unity and talent discovery, and in commemoration of Hon. Open Salawu birthday anniversary.
Notable attendees included Hon. Akinwale Akinwole, Chairman of Oyo State Local Service Commission; Hon. Bisi Oluranti Michael, House of Assembly member representing Ogbomoso North State Constituency; and Hon. George Ogunlade, Ogbomoso North Local Government Chairman.
Others were Hon. Jide Oketunbi, Alhaji Lukman Alaga Mewa (representing Otunba Seye Famojuro), the Ogbomoso North Vice Chairman, House leaders, councillors, and various local government political appointees, alongside prominent citizens and sports enthusiasts.
Hon. Open Salawu, the facilitator, expressed his commitment to discovering and developing football talents in the zone.
He stated, “Over the years, I have invested in the development and improvement of lives and livelihoods through empowerment, scholarships, and community projects.”
The winners of the tournament received cash prizes and jerseys: Romeo FC (1st place, ₦200,000 and jerseys), Galaxy FC (2nd place, ₦180,000 and jerseys), Favours FC (3rd place, ₦80,000), and White Star FC (4th place, ₦50,000).
Hon. Open Salawu emphasized the importance of sports in promoting unity, development, mental health, and fitness.
He noted that talented individuals should be valued and considered for appointments in their field.
Alhaji Abdul-azeez Bahsiru, the tournament’s chief organizer, commended Hon. Open Salawu for organizing the football competition, which promotes peace and unity among the people of Ogbomoso zone.
He praised Open Salawu’s humanitarian interventions, philanthropic gestures, and community projects ranging from empowerment programmes for the youth, vulnerable, orphans, women, men, widows, and widowers.
“Hon. Open Salawu’s humility and accessibility have endeared him to the people, who appreciate the impact of his humane disposition, particularly those who have benefited from his initiatives and programs. We express our gratitude for this opportunity and believe that his programs aim to alleviate poverty, address youth restiveness, and promote sports in the Ogbomoso zone”, Alhaji Bashiru said.
