Akure: Director-General of the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) in Ondo State, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, has described the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sports Festival as a unifying platform for youths in the state. According to him, the festival also serves as a platform for the discovery of talents.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, which began on November 6, will run until December 6. Yusuf-Ogunleye made these remarks during the finals of the zonal events of the festival, featuring ten different sports across various communities in the state.
He stated that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s vision to use sports as a tool for engagement, empowerment, and economic opportunity. ‘We are aware that the GMT Sports Festival was inaugurated here in Ondo; We are doing this in line with the vision of Mr President, that is why we call it President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sports Festival,’ he said.
Yusuf-Ogunleye noted that the festival had already been held in several zones, including Ikare and Okitipupa, adding that the finals will be held in Akure. He highlighted that the programme has re-energised community participation in sports and has created a sense of unity in the state.
‘Since we started, this programme has unified our people and engaged our youths; We have been able to discover talents and keep young people occupied. It has been a long time since we had this kind of unifying event where sports talent can be discovered,’ he added.
The Director-General added that the festival is part of a broader GMT agenda, supported by the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aimed at promoting the President’s programmes at the grassroots. He explained that for GMT, nation-building goes beyond sports, adding that the organisation had earlier provided free medical outreach, with state-wide prayers for the president and the nation held recently.
Yusuf-Ogunleye said that outstanding talents discovered across the zones will be invited to Akure for further support and development. He noted that sports has become ‘not just entertainment but business’ capable of creating jobs and empowering youths.
He also mentioned the excitement among older residents who were participating in local exhibition matches, describing the festival as a platform that promotes fitness, social cohesion, and community happiness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that winners of the marathon event are Osuolale Taiwo, Winner Duru, and Owolabi Victor, while Favour James and Oloyede Jesutofunmi both qualified for the 800m and 1500m events. In boxing, Gabriel Kingsley defeated Ibrahim Mohmod 3-2 in the 65kg category, Odey John defeated Alex Agboola in the 60kg category with a unanimous decision of 3-0, and Kamorudeen Kehinde defeated Akintade Olatobi 3-2.