The Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, sponsored and hosted the Egba Division of the Starlettes Ogun State School Sports Festival at the Wahab Folawiyo Stadium, Crescent University, Abeokuta, reaffirming support for grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The championship, an initiative of 5ivemediacom, is coordinated by Alex Okonkwo, with Olatoye Olawale serving as Communications Director. The competition provides a platform for secondary school athletes across Ogun State to compete for places in the state finals.
The festival is being held across the state’s four divisions Egba, Yewa, Ijebu, and Remo with winners from each division set to compete in the grand finale later this year at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.
The Egba Division featured athletes from six local government areas, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi/Owode, Ewekoro, and Ifo.
Although primary education falls under the statutory responsibilities of local governments, Abeokuta North Local Government supported the secondary school championship by providing the competition venue, canopies, chairs, a public address system, refreshments, drinks, snacks, and other logistics for the event.
Athletes competed in the boy’s and Girl’s 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m races, 4x100m and 4x200m relays, long jump, and football events.
At the end of the competition, Kuola Odunayo of Odeda Local Government was named the Overall Best Male Athlete, while Ale Elegbede Aliyah emerged as the Overall Best Female Athlete.
In the football events, Lafenwa High School, representing Abeokuta North Local Government, won the boys’ title, while Grammar School, Obantoko, representing Odeda Local Government, claimed the girls’ championship.
The event was attended by the Towulade of Owu Akinale, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Oluseyi Ayodeji Adedibu (Otileta I), who presented certificates to some of the winners.
The Executive Chairman, Hon. Dr. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, also presented certificates to another set of outstanding athletes.
Speaking during the event, the monarch described sports as a vital tool for youth empowerment, stating that it helps keep young people away from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices while creating opportunities for careers and employment.
He also recalled his longstanding support for the initiative, including facilitating the visit of former Super Eagles coach Bonfrère Joe to his community.
The championship attracted sports masters, teachers, education stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts from across the participating local government areas.
Corporate organisations that partnered the initiative included FirstBank, Airtel Nigeria, Indomie Noodles, and NTA, alongside other supporters of grassroots sports development.
The Starlettes Ogun State School Sports Festival continues with competitions in the remaining divisions ahead of the state finals, where divisional champions will compete for overall honours.
