The Ekiti State governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting sporting activities in the state ,particularly among the youths.
The governor ,who gave this assurance during the official unveiling of Ekiti United FC, jerseys and coach disclosed that government intends to engage the youth positively through sports.
Represented by the commissioner for Finance, Mr Akin Oyebode,the acknowledged the progress being made by the state owned team in recent past .
The governor urged prominent indigenes and corporate bodies within and beyond the state to complement government’s spendings and support for Ekiti United FC stressing that government alone could not finance sports in the face of other daunting challenges.
Oyebanji said his administration would create enabling environment for the team to pursue and achieve it’s much desired promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He charged the management and technical crew to be at their best in a bid to gain promotion at the end of the season.
In his remarks the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs Tola Faseluka commended governor Biodun Oyebanji for his rare passion and commitment towards taking Ekiti to the world through sports .
Mrs Faseluka said the governor’s support has boosted the morale of the teeming young Ekiti sportsmen and women especially Ekiti United FC players and management.
She thanked the state governor for approving the recent payment of double salaries to the players of the state owned team and for also encouraging football camping the youths and females through Ekiti United Feeders Team and Ekiti Queens .
The Permanent Secretary assured that the youths will always be committed to the sustenance and entrenchment of peace, unity and development of Ekiti State during the administration of governor Oyebanji
The unveiling attracted several goverment functionaries including the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Bunni Adelugba, the Head of Service , Barrister Bamidele Agbede, former and retired Permanent Secretaries and a host of dignitaries and sports enthusiasts.
The Finance commissioner who took the kickoff of the match after unvieling the team, coach and jerseys on behalf of Governor Oyebanji boosted the morale of all the team management by promising to purchase at least 100 pieces of the new Ekiti United jersey for all members of the State Executive and Legislative arms of goverment.
The occasion was followed by a friendly match between Ekiti United FC and Osun United FC as both teams who are familiar foes settled for a barren draw.
Though Ekiti United being the host team could not score in the friendly, the head coach, Kehinde Anjorin said the match has further helped in spotting the crucial areas to work more on the team prior to the first Nigeria National League 2023 match against Madiba FC of Lagos on March 19.
Ekiti United are in the NNL Southern Conference B3 table alongside 4 other teams in the abridged league of the 2023 NNL season.
The top team in each of the Eight groups will qualify to contest in the Super 8 where the top 4 teams that will be promoted to the Nigeria Premier League will emerge.
Other teams in the group are Madiba FC of Lagos, Stormers FC of Abeokuta, FC Ebiede of Lagos and Ikorodu United also of Lagos.
Each team will play Eight matches (4 home and 4 away) before the conclusion of the abridged NNL 2023