OSF 2021: Moving teams from their homes prevented violence, hooliganism –Committee

BLESSING AKOROWOSI, Osogbo

The Local Organizing Committee of the ongoing Osun Sports Festival (OSF) has said all strategies put in place for the success of the event were working as expected.

The committee noted that moving teams from their home soil to a neutral venue has prevented violence and hooliganism which normally characterise some football matches.

Speaking with a representative of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State Chapter, Seyi Akanni , in Okuku, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Layi Adesiyan, said using of neutral venues at different geopolitical zones of the state for the football teams has ensured hitch free competitions among all local governments.

“The organising committee decided to move teams from their home soil to a neutral venue to prevent violence and hooliganism which normally characterize some football matches on home soil and this is perfectly working as expected.

“At the outset (of the competition), we met with major stakeholders from all Local Governments and availed them rules and regulations (of the competition) which were given to them and to the glory of God, they have been following it religiously.

“So far so good it has been a success across all venues as there is no incidence of hooliganism or violence, spectators have been enjoying themselves and people have been giving kudos to the state government led by Gboyega Oyetola and appreciating efforts of the organizing committee under the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Yemi Lawal, to ensure that Osun youth are fully engaged through football,’ concluded Mr. Adesiyan.

Matches continue on Tuesday, September 28 across four centres. In Group A, Isokan will battle Ife East at the C & S Grammar School, Ilesha while Group B match paired Ilesha West and Irewole in a titan clash billed foe Odo Otin Grammar School, Okuku.

In the same vein, Boripe will host Orolu in the Group C encounter holding at College of Education, Ila Orangun while Oriade will engage Odo Otin in the Group D encounter slated for St. John’s Grammar School, Ikire.

For a better society