.as First Edition of U-15 Bode George Kid Cup 2025 debuts
By Our Reporter
Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has charged Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to rejuvenate sporting activities in the state, to enable youths in the state engage in activities that can help develop their talents.
Chief George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yoruba land, made the call on Thursday in his Ikoyi office, Lagos, while launching the First Edition of U-15 Bode George Kid Cup 2025, saying that engagement in sporting activities was what Lagos was noted for in the past, and as a result of which notable sporting stars were produced by the state.
George expressed disappointment that notable activities had now been neglected, forcing the youth to engross themselves in anti-social activities which he said were not beneficial to them nor the society.
The PDP chieftain, while making the call, reminded the governor, whom he said was also engaged in the sporting activities in his youthful days, to revive sporting activities among the youths so that their tallent can be tapped.
"I want to appeal to Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu to rejuvenate sporting activities among the young ones. I appeal to the persons in charge of local government administration and sporting activities in the state to engage the youths, instead of allowing them sleep off. Let them start social activities to attract the youth and let them develop more interest in sporting activities.
"Let it be an intentional development that will attract the youth. The elders in the society added value to us when we were growing up," he said.
Also speaking in support, former Communication Minister, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), said rejuvenating sporting activities among the youth was very important, adding that reviving youth sport by George reminded him of his childhood when he was growing up.
According to him, nothing is wrong in allowing the youth to play soccer, saying this became imperative because nobody knew "what they can become in future."
"Nothing is wrong in allowing the youth to play soccer,we don't know what they can become in future.We need to encourage games like this,that is developing soccer at the grassroot and other things that matters.
"I grew up to play for this country against Ghana. I was No. 2, I still have newspaper cutting of 1966 with me.
"Please, we need to encourage things like this. This things matter when you talk of grassroots. This is the beginning.
"What he (George) is trying to do is to develop new set of Nigerians. I am very happy to join him to make this effort a success. I wish you all the success," General Olanrewaju said.
Speaking earlier, Chairman, Lagos State Grassroot Soccer Association, Rev. Paul Freeman, said the Bode George Kid Cup for all Uder-15 youth football club in Lagos State aligned with the association's goal to help in discovering and developing young talented players through the staging of various age group tournaments.
Freeman, who was represented the Assistant Secretary of the Association, Mr. Afuka Abu, said the tournament was part of the activities earmarked by the Lagos State Grassroot Soccer Association to celebrate Chief George's 80th birthday, which came up last month and also "our youths on Christmas Day."
"Government alone cannot carry the burden of sport development; hence we decided to contact our father, His Excellency, Chief Olabode George, to contribute his own quota in sponsoring the U-15 category.
"Despite the downturn global economic recession facing the country which could have prompted him to turn his back to this type of call, he still finds means to bring smile to the faces of our youths in Lagos State.
"The tournament will go a long way in motivating the youths, foster unity and promote healthy rivalry among the teams and the spectators. It will invariably afford scouts, the opportunity to hunt for the young talents to replace the old legs in our amateur and professional clubs in order to uplift the standard of football in our domestic league," he stated.
The association boss thanked and saluted Chief George for the courage he had to bankrolling the competition, expressing the hope that the Atona Oodua of Yoruba land would not relent in his efforts at making the competition an annual event in order to yield the long-term dividends that necessitate the staging of the competition.
This was just as he prayed that God would enrich Chief George and his family with long and healthy life "so that in the nearest future, the competition will gain international recognition and produce talented players like Taye Taiwo, Dele Adeleye, and Obafemi Martins (all of whom are products of this association) that will immortalize your good name further."
Speaking further, Freeman, said the kick off of the football match will start December 15th, 2025, while the final match will come up on the 26th, December, 2025, disclosing that the winner will be rewarded with N250,000, second position, N150,000 while third position will get N100,000.
He, however, expressed the association's resolve to always strive hard to organize a standardized football competition to further boost its good name.
Ends.
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