A member of House of Representatives representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shina Abiola Peller has advised both the federal and state governments to find a way to develop grassroot football sports.
Peller spoke at the weekend in Iseyin, Oyo state.
The lawmaker noted that this is necessary so as to curb the growing social vices among the youths in the country.
Peller made these disclosures while speaking during the final of Peller Unity Cup season 11 which was attended by 3SC Team manager, Dimeji Lawal, Assistant coach for Flying Eagles (U-20) Fatai Amoo, Atlanta 96 goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph and Golden Eaglet assistant coach, Usman Haruna Ilerika.
The lawmaker lamented the growing rate of social vices among the youths.
He then urged the stakeholders including the federal and state governments to put more resources together so as to develop grassroot football sports to keep the youths busy.
He said that this will help to curb menace of social vices among the youths especially.
The lawmaker who described football as a universal phenomena, insisted that football can be used to unite two enemies.
He said, “Football is a universal language. I believed that football is a tool to unite even two enemies. When you see two enemies supporting the same team when the team scores you will not know when they will hug themselves.
“It is a way to promote unity and curb social vices among the youths. It is a way to engage the youths and develop their talents. This will go a long way to curb social vices.
“I realised that Oke Ogun area with so much resources has been marginalised. And for us to develop Oke Ogun, we just promote unity among the various communities.
“Oke Ogun occupied about 60 per cent of lands in Oyo state with some much resources but that does not translate into results. But, I realised that we have to understand ourselves and love ourselves before we achieve it. And I said that the best way to do that is football”.
Some of the dignitaries who present at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was represented by the Asoya of Ile Isoya Ile Ife, Oba Muraina Adedini; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Bahago, who was represented by Alhaji Farouk Musa.
Our correspondent reports that that football competition was won by Iseyin United after scoring (1 goal) to defeat Iseyin City (0) which took second position.