IJEBU ODE — The Director of Sports at the Ogun State Sports Council, Mr. Oluseyi Sonde, has praised the organizers of the Ijebu Premier League for the remarkable improvement in the competition, describing it as an important platform for grassroots football development in Ogun State.
Speaking during Week 6 of the league at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Sonde said he was impressed by the level of organization compared to when he last attended the competition two years ago.
“I was here about two years ago, and there has been remarkable improvement. The time management, coordination, and overall organization have been very impressive,” he said.
Sonde noted that competitions like the Ijebu Premier League are crucial for discovering local football talents who can eventually represent Gateway United at higher levels.
“We have talented players across Ogun State. Competitions like this make it easier to identify them instead of always recruiting players from outside the state,” he said.
The Director of Sports also commended the league organizers for keeping detailed player statistics and performance records, describing the initiative as a modern approach to grassroots football administration.
“Proper documentation makes scouting easier. Clubs and football administrators can study players’ performances and identify outstanding talents through reliable statistics,” he added.
Encouraging the players, Sonde urged them to remain focused and continue working hard, stressing that many professional footballers began their careers through grassroots competitions.
He also applauded the organizers for sustaining the league despite sponsorship challenges, expressing confidence that continued professionalism and consistency would attract more partners in the future.
The Ijebu Premier League continues to establish itself as one of Ogun State’s leading grassroots football competitions, providing young talents with a platform to develop while contributing to the growth of football across the state.
