By Victor Okebunmi
The Ex-Ibadan Professional Footballers Association has called for the revival of secondary school football, describing it as the foundation for grassroots talent development in Oyo State.
Chairman of the association, Temitope Obideyi, made the call at the grand finale of its maiden statewide secondary school football tournament held at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
He said the initiative was driven by concerns over the decline in the state’s contribution to national football talent.
The tournament featured over 1,400 students from 80 secondary schools across 10 zones, with top performers set to receive mentorship from former professional players.
Pensioners’ FM Head of Operations, Ibiwumi Ishola, alongside other veteran sports journalists, was invited and recognised for their contributions to grassroots sports development in the state.
Among Dignitaries present at the Grand Finale include Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Adeyinka Kazim, and Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, Oba James Odeniran.
