Okoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area played host to the final of the Dankay Football Competition, an annual football tournament organized by the Kayode Durotiwon foundation to empower youths across Gbede Kingdom.
This year’s final had Odokoro-Gbede and Aiyegunle-Gbede teams was trade tackle at Okoro-Gbede High School.
The fiercely contested match saw Aiyegunle in their orange strip dominating proceedings but struggling to create quality chances.
Odokoro grew into the game and created several good chances but could not convert over the ninety minutes.
Ayegunle Gbede FC
The match went to penalties where Odokoro beat Aiyegunle 4-3 to emerge the champions of the tournament.
Founder of the organization, Mr. Kayode Durotiwon in a message to the final, expressed delight as the competition entered its ninth year.
Mr. Durotiwon said it was heartwarming to see the tournament which started in Okoro-Gbede now cut across the entirety of Gbede land.
According to him, the competition has soared in popularity, evolving to become a beacon of hope for the youths, promoting talent, unity and sportsmanship across the various communities.
He noted that there are ongoing deliberations geared towards expanding the tournament to other areas in Ijumu, assuring that appeals from Ijumu-Oke and Ijumu-Arin will be addressed in the near future.
The founder urged youths to contribute their quota in enhancing development and security in their communities, describing them as the pillars of the nation.
One of the founding members of the foundation, Mr. Omotowa Sunday Olugbenga who represented the founder said the annual competition serves as a talent hunt, particularly for youths who have the desire to have a career in football.
According to him, the tournament is also designed to promote peace and harmony among the various communities in Gbede.
He noted that the final match being played in Okoro-Gbede despite their exit of the competition is symbolic of the foundation’s desire to foster unity in the kingdom.
President of the Okoro-Gbede Development Association, Chief Adewale Durotiwon praised the Foundation for sustaining the competition for nearly a decade, saying it demonstrates its passion for young people.
Chief Adewale described football as a veritable tool for youth empowerment, stressing that their huge potentials must be exploited for national development.
An indigene of the community and Principal of Okoro-Gbede High School, Mr. Ikusika Philip commended the foundation for enhancing sport activities in Gbede land, saying the youths have all it takes to compete at the global stage.
According to him, the football competition has exposed the abundance of talents in Gbede to the world, calling for more ideas like the introduction of scouts to help propel the players to the top.
Another indigene, Mr. Dominic Ojo praised the foundation for the initiative, stressing that engaging young people in productive activities is crucial to reducing crime in the society.
Mr. Ojo called for the expansion of the tournament to the community’s secondary school and the entirety of Ijumu to extend its impact.
Cash prizes as well as bags of rice were given to the participants for their efforts.
