Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup Aims To Discover Young Talents – Olubadan
•••Unveils Logos, Draws
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – The stage is set for the commencement of the maiden Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup scheduled to commence Saturday at Bishop Philips Academy, Montana, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Olubadan Olakulehin Cup 2025 packaged by Tall & Wide Company in partnership with the Palace of Olubadan and supported by Oyo SWAN, Oyo State Sports Council, OSMDA Network, Oyo State Football Association, Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports is aimed at discovering of talents for the state and the country at large.
Addressing journalists at the Banquet Hall at the Olubadan Palace on Wednesday ahead of the tournament which gets underway on Saturday ,His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin noted that the tournament will be coming up among Ibadan markets football teams, thereby called for peaceful conduct of the participants during the tournament.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who was represented by Prince Folaseke Olakulehin stated that the event was put together to commemorate the one year on throne anniversary of His Imperial Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Prince Folaseke also noted that the football tournament will serve as an avenue to discover young talents.
He said, “Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup was put together to mark the first year on throne of anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and also to discover new talents that will be representing our state and the country at large.”
“We are calling for peaceful conducts of all the participants during the tournament, and we hope for a fruitful and healthy competitive game.” Prince Folaseke Olakulehin said.
Also speaking, Oyo State Former Commissioner of Information, Prince Toye Arulogun who is the chief executive officer Tall and Wide Company:the brain behind the tournament announced the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) as a reward prize for the champion while the sum of N300,000 will be a prize for second position, as the third and fourth positions will be coasting home with the sum of N200,000 and N100,000 respectively.
The former commissioner also noted that there will be a consolation prizes for the best goal Keeper, highest goal scorer,most valuable players among others.
Arulogun also disclosed that the committee for the tournament will provide branded jerseys for the participating at the semi final stage of the tournament.
In his address, the Secretary General of Oyo State Football Association, Mr Kehinde Ojelowo disclosed that the first match will be coming up between the First Gbagi Market and Bola Ige Market at the Bishop Philips Academy Monatan, Iwo Road, Ibadan on 28th, June 2025.
Ojelowo further stated that the tournament will be open for all age bracket, noting that the 17 registered teams that will be participating in the competition have been grouped into four groups. He also noted that the tournament is strictly for the markets within Ibadan metropolis.
He said, “this tournament is meant for all our football market teams in Ibadan, and we are going to be accommodating the NLO(Nationwide League One) players. I’m equally urging the NFL teams including our own 3SC to come and scout for new football talents, as this tournament will be showcasing new football talents.
Other dignitaries at the event are the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass, the Iyaloja General of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs) Oguntola Iswat Amerigun, the Chiarman Sport Writers Association Oyo State Chapter (SWAN) Comrade Ajibola Ayomiku, former Oyo SWAN Chiarman, Comrade Niyi Alebiosu, members of the Oyo State Football Association, representatives of the leadership of market men and women, among others.