Abuja: The Ondo State chapter of Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) has emphasized its commitment to community sports as a means to enhance youth engagement and educate the public about Federal Government policies. This declaration was made by Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Director-General of GMT, during the zonal finals of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival held in Okitipupa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the competition, which commenced on November 6, traveled through Owo and Ikare before concluding in Okitipupa, with attention now directed towards the upcoming events in Ondo town. Yusuf-Ogunleye outlined the group’s mission to inform residents about President Tinubu’s achievements in his first two years, while also addressing misinformation surrounding government reforms.
“Our duty is to enlighten the people about what Mr President has done, what he intends to do and the obstacles before him,” Yusuf-Ogunleye stated. He highlighted GMT’s grassroots approach to delivering messages in simple terms and local dialects for improved public comprehension.
Yusuf-Ogunleye explained that the group initially launched free medical outreach programs before extending their mobilization efforts to sports, viewing sports as a vital tool for unity and youth engagement. “Sport unites people. Even in difficult moments, it brings peace and harmony. Through this festival, we are reviving interest in sports, discovering talents and keeping youths meaningfully engaged,” he added.
The Director-General expressed gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for financially supporting the tournament, which aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to youth development. He assured that GMT would continue to support athletes discovered during the competition by providing them with exposure, mentorship, and access to scouts.
“Sports is now a business, not just entertainment. We want our youths to benefit from it,” he remarked, adding that with positive community feedback and continued sponsorship, the festival is projected to become an annual event.
Yusuf-Ogunleye, a two-time Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ondo State, reaffirmed GMT’s dedication to using social and developmental programs to mobilize support for Tinubu’s administration. The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that in the football match final of the zone, KFC of Okitipupa triumphed over Gbenvico FC of Ilaje 2-1 to advance to the zonal finals in Akure. Other sports activities in the program include Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, Tennis, Table Tennis, Ayo Olopon, Handball, Boxing, and Wrestling.