YSFON To Organize MKO Abiola Memorial Cup In Ogun

ABEOKUTA - Just like Ramat Cup-a Youth football tournament which is been held annually in the City Kano in honour of the late Nigerian Head of State, General Muritala Ramat Muhammed, MKO Abiola's Cup in honour of the late business Mogul and Pillar of sport in Africa, Bashorun MKO Abiola will soon birth in the Ancient City of Abeokuta Ogun State, so says the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria YSFON Chairman in Ogun State, Alhaji Waheed Kashimaawo Lawal

Lawal made the disclosure in Abeokuta on Monday during a visit to the Ogun State Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare.

The Commissioner disclosed that the State government intention for any talented Youth discovered through Sports in the State is not just to represent the State but to go ahead and represent the country in international events, he advised the YSFON officials to submit their Proposals to the government through the State Sports Council for proper onward delivery.

While speaking on behalf of the YSFON delegation,the former Chairman of Ogun State house of Assembly Sports Committee who is the Vice Chairman of Ogun State YSFON, Honourable Wilfred Olufemi Allen-Taylor whose sponsored football Academy-Allen Taylor football Academy represented the State at this year's Ramat Cup asserted that most of the other States that participated at the tournament were wholly sponsored by their State government, he enjoined the Commissioner to seek clarification from his Colleagues in other States in order to confirm his assertion.

Allen-Taylor revealed that one prominent product of the Ramat Cup and and a graduate of his Academy is the attacking Midfielder that scored the only goal for the State owned Gateway United FC against Vandrrezer FC in the NNL's Week 3 match at the Weekend,Sunkanmi Odusina

The Director of Sports in the State's Sports Council, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi assured the YSFON Officials of the Council's utmost support in all their initiatives

While speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, YSFON Chairman Alhaji Lawal eulogized the late Pillar of Sports in Africa, MKO Abiola severally; he said apart from being the Pillar of Sports in the whole of Africa, Abiola did a lot more for the development of Sports in Nigeria and Ogun State.

"Don't forget that Abiola owed a football Club based in Abeokuta (Abiola Babes), he was the first Club owner that increased his Players' salary by more than 200%, and while defending his decision, he said Footballers are like Soldiers sent to the war from who must be fully equipped and the only way to equip footballers is to give them more and more money, he also gave car loan to the Players of  Abiola Babes in 1984 and he was the first Club owner to fly an injured Player abroad for treatment, above all MKO Abiola was the Grand Patron of YSFON while alive, so Ogun YSFON has thought it wise to inaugurate an annual football tournament in MKO Abiola's honour in order to immortalize him".

Also on the YSFON delegation to the Commissioner's office was the Organizing Secretary, Kayode Shofolu, the Director of training, Coach Henry Oviawe, the only woman Officer doubles as the Gateway United Supporters' Club Chairman, Alhaja Kudirat Odebiyi and the Players of the team, Allen-Taylor football Academy whose four of them were selected to the National Under-15 side, the Future Eagles; the four Players are the Captain, Michael Adeniji, Olafimihan Dolapo, Oderinde Pelumi and Olubowale Timileyin.

It would be recalled that the Ogun State team came fourth at the just concluded Ramat Cup tournament in Kano which had the FCT Semi-final at them at Semi-financial as the Champions