Amid growing speculation linking him with political ambitions, Temitope Ademola Obideyi has firmly dismissed any intention of venturing into Nigeria’s political space, reiterating that his focus remains solely on sports development and youth empowerment in Oyo State.
The Chairman of the Ex-Ibadan Professional Footballers Association made this known while addressing the media, putting to rest widespread rumours that have trailed his rising profile following his impactful contributions to grassroots football and youth-focused initiatives.
Obideyi, a former Nigeria international who featured for clubs such as Atlético Minero and Universidad Técnica de Cajamarca in Peru, explained that his mission is not political, but developmental.
According to him, his primary objective is to serve as a strong voice in advising government and relevant stakeholders on effective strategies to harness the potential of young people through sports.
He emphasized that his passion lies in creating opportunities for aspiring athletes, ensuring that talents discovered at the grassroots level are properly nurtured and guided toward professional careers.
Obideyi expressed concern over the number of young talents lost due to lack of structure and support, stressing the importance of early identification, systematic development, and access to quality coaching.
He noted that sustainable sports growth requires more than just competitions, but also the integration of media visibility, strategic marketing, branding, sponsorship, partnerships, and proper logistics.
Fresh from being honoured as “Pillar of Sports” by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Obideyi maintained that his recent recognition should not be misconstrued as a political stepping stone. Instead, he described it as a motivation to intensify his efforts in building a functional and sustainable sports ecosystem in Oyo State.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to establishing platforms that will consistently discover, develop, and expose young talents, while also laying the foundation for a more professional and competitive football structure capable of elevating the state to national and international relevance.
