The maiden edition of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival in Ondo State on Tuesday ended on a colourful note at the sports complex of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
The event, which lasted over a month, attracted a large turnout of sports enthusiasts and youths across the state.
The grassroots sports fiesta, organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), featured athletes from various zones of the state competing in football, athletics, table tennis and other games.
Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Director-General (DG) of GMT in the state, at the grand finale, said the festival was designed to discover, nurture and develop young talents while promoting unity, discipline and youth engagement through sports.
Yusuf-Ogunleye noted that sports remained a powerful tool for nation-building, adding that the initiative aligned with Tinubu’s emphasis on youth empowerment and productive engagement.
The DG appreciated the sponsor of the festival, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Interior Minister, for his steadfast support and encouragement given to the group and the president.
He explained that the festival also served as a platform to mobilise grassroots support for the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, it provides young people with opportunities to showcase their talents in a competitive but friendly environment.
Yusuf-Ogunleye expressed appreciation to FUTA and other tertiary institutions across the zones for providing facilities that ensured the smooth hosting of the festival, despite logistical challenges.
“Our vision is clear: to mobilise grassroots support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, while enlightening citizens about policies that aim to strengthen the economy, create jobs, secure lives and restore national confidence.
“Our mission is to engage, educate and empower, peacefully and patriotically, ensuring that governance is understood not as distant politics but as shared responsibility,” he said.
Similarly, the DG of GMT in Ogun State, Hon. Tola Banjo, said the group’s collective purpose was to work together and showcase the president’s work because campaigns had not started.
Banjo commended the initiative behind the sports festival, noting that it would engender grassroots development end engagement.
Also, the former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ondo State, Mrs Lola Fagbemi, said the programme showcased achievements of Tinubu, and urged the region to rally round Tinubu for successful terms.
GMT state working committees, GMT leaders from the South-West, local government coordinators, members and past commissioners in the state were present at the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival ended with the presentation of trophies, medals and prizes to outstanding athletes and teams, marking the successful conclusion of the sporting event.
In the football competition, Okitipupa Zone emerged overall champions, defeating strong opposition from other zones, while Akoko Zone finished second and Akure Zone placed third.
The Athletics event produced impressive performances, with Temitope Bello of Akoko Zone winning the men’s 100 metres race, ahead of Olumide Daniel of Ondo Zone and Saliu Toheeb, also of Akoko Zone.
Sunny Mumini of Akoko Zone clinched first place in the 400 metres race, followed by Wisdom James of Akure Zone in second position and Owolabi Victor of Ondo Zone in third.
In the combined 100 and 400 metres event, Nelson Joseph of Akoko Zone emerged winner, with Wisdom James of Akure Zone and Adeyeye Richard of Ondo Zone finishing second and third respectively.
For Ayo Olopon Omosowon Idowu emerged winner in his category, while Akindele Metinukuro and Olowolafe Abiodun finished second and third respectively.
In the table tennis event, Ilesanmi Olatunji of Akure Zone took first place, while Timothy and Fusho Abiodun placed second and third respectively.
