A sports enthusiast, Adekunle Ogidi, on Friday donated food items worth N1 million to players of Ekiti Queens and Ekiti United as part of efforts to support sports development in the state.
Ogidi, an indigene of Ijero-Ekiti, presented the items at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, stating that the donation aimed to boost the physical strength of the players and encourage excellence.
The donated items included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, cartons of soft drinks and energy drinks, as well as packs of spaghetti.
Speaking at the event, Ogidi said the gesture was his way of complementing Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to sports development in the state. He commended the governor for prioritizing youth engagement through sports, noting that such investment would help steer them away from crime and other social vices.
“I have been following the trend of sports development in Ekiti because I am close to home, and I have seen the renewed efforts of His Excellency, Governor Abayomi Oyebanji,” Ogidi said. “This is the first time in my lifetime that I have witnessed this level of investment in sports in the state, and I believe supporting his laudable initiatives is the best way to show my appreciation.”
He further assured that his intervention would not be a one-off, adding that he was committed to the players’ welfare for the rest of the season and beyond.
“For me, this is about building a relationship with the sports community in Ekiti. I will continue to support the feeding of the players throughout the season by God’s grace,” he pledged.
Receiving the items on behalf of the teams, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Olusola Osetoba, expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as timely.
“We have reached out to many people, but only a few have responded. Ogidi has not only come forward but has also committed to regularly supporting the players’ feeding. We appreciate this gesture and assure him that the items will be put to good use,” she said.
She commended Ogidi’s dedication to sports development in Ekiti, urging other well-meaning individuals to emulate his commitment.