The Central Organising Committee for the Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo Okun Unity Football Tournament held its first meeting on Sunday, September 13, 2026, marking the formal take-off of plans for the grassroots sporting initiative.
The seven-man committee, drawn from all local government areas within Okun extraction, convened to chart the course for the tournament, which organisers say will span all 65 wards across Okun land.
Speaking at the meeting, the committee’s chairman, Comrade Tope Alonge, welcomed members and commended them for committing their time to the development of Okun land through sport.
In his opening address, Alonge described football as one of the most powerful tools for promoting unity, peaceful coexistence, youth engagement and community development. He said the tournament would bring together youths from across Okun and Oworo land in the spirit of unity, friendship, peace and healthy competition.
According to him, the competition would also serve as a platform to promote sportsmanship while giving talented young footballers the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
He added that it would provide a forum for community leaders, traditional institutions, government representatives, youth organisations and other stakeholders to interact and strengthen bonds of unity among the people.
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Alonge outlined the tournament’s objectives to include grassroots football development, strengthening relationships among political wards and communities, exposing talented young players to football academies, clubs and scouts, and discovering and nurturing football talent. He said the long-term goal was to establish an annual tournament capable of becoming a major grassroots sporting event in Okun land.
Reacting to the address, one of the committee members commended the chairman’s courage and commitment to the initiative, describing football as a powerful vehicle for promoting unity, peace, youth empowerment, talent development and community integration across Okun land.
