Sports
Full text of Engr. Dotun Sanusi’s Speech, Chairman, Ilaji Stadium & Resorts Center during The Closing Ceremony Of 1st MASM U-17 YSFON Female Soccer Tournament
IT is my pleasure to welcome you all to this august gathering. For the seven days now, Nigerians of different backgrounds have been socializing with one another. Teams from different states have contested against one another and matches have been won and lost and to God be the glory not a single fracas nor confrontation has been recorded, be it from the officials or the players; this is a proof that Nigerians are peace-loving and that sports in general and football in particular is a unifying factor and a panacea to the socio-security challenges that have bedeviled our nation in recent
times.
Couple of years past not many people can predict that this community will play host to the competition of this magnitude considering the myriads of challenges facing it, but I will let us know what has been our driving force.
Besides God Who has been the pillar of our lives and a constant factor in everything we set out to do, our other secret that has been propelling us is that 6-letter word- BELIEF-. Just as
Leroy Hood once said and I quote, “don’t underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm.
” With MASM tournament, we have been able to show that, given the right atmosphere, talents are abound in this country and our national teams should be competing very well with their counterparts in abroad.
At this juncture, I want to express my profound gratitude to the officials of Youths Sports Federation Of Nigeria (YSFON) for sharing with us the belief that Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Center and, by and large, this community, can successfully host an inter-state competition.
Here in this arena, YSFON has recreated a mini national sports festival. Sadly enough, the National Sports Festival, one of the competitions that used to supply our nation raw talents, was last held in 2012. I am, thus, imploring the relevant authorities to ensure that the Sports Festival which has now been slated for November does not experience postponements of the last four years.
Without gain-saying competitions such as the National Sports Festival and MASM U-17 YSFON Female Soccer competition are incubators of sporting talents through which our national teams can be saturated with genuine global competitors.
I must confess that I am highly pleased with the conduct of the participating teams and their officials in the past one week but what gladdens me most is the quality of football displayed on the field of play by all the teams right from the group stage to the semi-final matches played yesterday.
Considering the high level performances we have watched so far, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of female football not only in Oyo state or Ona-Ara local government but at the global stage.
However, It is an irony that considering the abundance of sporting talents in our country, at least judging from the raw talents we have witnessed here in this tournament, Nigeria national teams still record poor showings at international competitions; a good example of this was the dismal outing of our own Super Eagles which culminated in their exit in the ongoing senior world cup hosted by Russia. Thus, i want to appeal to our football authorities at various levels in this country once again to endeavor to send coaches to the grassroots competitions such as this with a view to scouting for talents that can do us proud in subsequent competitions. If our football authorities can take it upon themselves to look inward for young talents and subsequently provide an enabling environment with which they would be nurtured, I can confidently say that within a short period of time, our national teams will compete effectively with the football super powers like Brazil, Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, France, Japan just to mention but a few.
In view of this, I am using this medium to appeal to corporate bodies and individuals to see sports as golden investment and service to humanity. Sports, besides, providing gainfully employment to our teeming youths, will also serve as a tool through which crime will be drastically reduced. It is an open secret that majority of the crimes that are unleashed on our society are perpetrated by our unemployed youths who indulge in these illicit activities thinking that the society will give them the recognition they deserve once they have acquired the ill-gotten wealth.
MASM, an acronym of Madam Agbeke Sanusi Muslimat, is put together by YSFON in memory of my mother who passed on exactly ten years ago . For the benefits of young girls present here today, motherhood is a great work that God, our creator, also recognizes. It is not by coincidence that the scriptures (Bible and Quran) speak glowingly of our mothers. Infact, God dedicates a whole chapter to women in the Quran; all these is an indication of the exalted positions God Almighty has placed women in general and our mothers in particular.
This special focus to the entire womenfolk in general and our mothers in particular couldn’t have been coincidental; it is God’s way of the wonderful job our mothers carry out on us. Therefore, immortalising my mum through this competition is my little way of appreciating her efforts which has gone a long way in moulding this standing here before you.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has contributed in one way or the other to the huge success recorded so far. My sincere thanks go to Almighty God, the Author and Finisher of our faith. I am expressing my profound gratitude to the entire YSFON officials both at the state and at the national level.
My special thanks go to the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. I also appreciate the supports of Commissioner for Youths & Sports, Bar. Yomi Oke; Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela; Commissioner for & Housing, Mr Isaac Omodewu; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya; Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Chief Grade
Ojo.
Many thanks to Chairmen of Ona-Ara, Inukan and Ido local government, Hon. Buliaminu Ogundele, Hon. Lanre Adesina and Hon. Wahab
Oladejo respectively.
I also appreciate the efforts of management and staff of Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Center headed by Mrs. Olarinde, Coach Zico, Coach Sesan,
Mr. Ademola, Engr. Hawai who is the architect and designer of Ilaji Stadium & Resorts Center.
My special thanks to Oyo State Commissioner of Police, the DPO, Akanran and his men, the Head of Medical team, the media team, Hazeez
Ayansola and Mr Sport.
I won’t forget my friends, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyi (Ti-O-Common), Dr. Olamitoye, Dream Wise and many others.
I also appreciate our partners from PortHarcourt and here in Ibadan,
our local Chief Security official, the Head of Oloyo Village, Association of the physically challenged people, the entire Sanusi family, the participants and their officials over their outstanding performances in this past one week, everyone present here, the j here present, ladies and gentlemen.
I wish everybody a safe trip back home.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes Marcus Rashford was unable to see football “the way I see it” before the unwanted England striker was shipped out of Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old Rashford fell dramatically out of favour with the Portuguese boss and spent seven weeks on the sidelines until he was loaned to Premier League rivals Aston Villa during the transfer window.
“I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said on Thursday.
“And sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.
“I just wish the best to Rashford and to (Aston Villa coach) Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player.”
Amorim, whose team face Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, said his focus now is on turning around a wretched season.
“Guys, in the summer… like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer,” he said.
“So, I am just focused on these games. Thankfully about Marcus he is in Birmingham now with Unai, so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players at the moment.”
A Nigerian federal lawmaker, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has publicly criticised what he describes as a “deliberate conspiracy” against Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, calling for the club to treat the player with respect.
Oseni, a passionate football fan and supporter of Nigerian club Shooting Stars FC, Ibadan, and Manchester United, voiced his concerns through an official statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan.
The lawmaker, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), accused United of undermining Rashford’s career. He suggested the club is intentionally frustrating the England international, who has been a key figure for the Red Devils since breaking into the first team in 2016.
A Deliberate Attempt to Tarnish Rashford’s Legacy
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Everton(Image: Getty Images)
Oseni believes Manchester United’s handling of Rashford’s situation is unfair, arguing that the player is being pushed out for reasons beyond footballing performance.
“The posture of Manchester United towards Rashford is a deliberate attempt to rubbish the glory this young man has built over the years,” Oseni stated.
“If he has made any mistakes—whether due to youthful exuberance, personal struggles, or any other reason—it should be understood as part of life’s journey. Everyone experiences highs and lows, but instead of supporting him, they have chosen to humiliate him.”
Rashford, now 27, has been frozen out of the squad since mid-December, despite being the club’s 13th all-time highest goal scorer. Reports suggest new manager Rúben Amorim has questioned Rashford’s commitment and has deliberately excluded him, a move Oseni sees as unjust and damaging to the forward’s career.
The controversy escalated last Sunday when Amorim allegedly told his coaching staff that he would rather field United’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, than recall Rashford to the squad.
Oseni condemned the remark, calling it an unnecessary public humiliation of a player who has given his best years to the club.
Internal Politics and Envy Behind Rashford’s Exclusion
“It is evident that Rashford is being pushed out of the club, not because of poor performance, but due to envy and internal politics,” Oseni remarked.
“If they no longer want him, they should handle it professionally and help him secure a move to another club that will celebrate him, rather than destroying the young talent.”
Rúben Amorim
The lawmaker highlighted Rashford’s recent performances, noting that despite limited game time under Amorim, he still managed to score four goals in just three appearances before being frozen out. He argued that Rashford’s exclusion is based on personal differences rather than footballing merit.
“Rashford once said he was ready for a new challenge out of frustration. Anyone in his shoes would feel the same after facing such humiliation. Instead of supporting him, they are making things worse. But I strongly believe that all these provocations will eventually lead to his elevation,” Oseni added.
United Must Show Rashford Respect
The Nigerian politician urged Manchester United’s management to reconsider their approach, stressing that Rashford deserves respect for his years of dedication to the club.
“Even if he made an error by expressing a desire to leave, the situation should have been handled privately rather than publicly humiliating him,” Oseni said.
“The coach’s statement that he would rather play a 63-year-old goalkeeper than Rashford is not only disrespectful but also unnecessary provocation. Despite this, Rashford has shown remarkable patience, considering all he has contributed to the team during his prime.”
He concluded by urging the club to allow Rashford to move on professionally if they no longer see him as part of their plans.
“No matter the challenges he faces, they will ultimately lead to his elevation, and those attempting to bring him down will only contribute to his success in the long run.”
Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staged a protest on Thursday at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, opposing the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the substantive coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Led by Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the Clerk of the Senate of NANS, the students condemned the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), describing the appointment as a disappointment to Nigerians and football enthusiasts. They called for its immediate reversal, threatening to embark on a nationwide protest to press home their demands.
Addressing the gathering, Odunayo criticized the NFF’s decision, arguing it undermined the pool of coaching talent within Nigeria. He stressed that the Super Eagles deserve a tactically sound coach capable of harnessing the nation’s abundant football talent.
“We are gathered here today to address an issue that has not only baffled us but has also drawn widespread disapproval from Nigerian students and sports enthusiasts alike,” Odunayo stated.
“On behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students, I, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the Senate of NANS National Headquarters, wish to categorically express our displeasure over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
“This appointment, as announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is not only unacceptable but also a slap in the face of our nation’s abundant pool of local coaching talent. Consequently, NANS, as the voice of the Nigerian students, is compelled to organize a national protest to demand a reversal of this decision.”
The NFF had confirmed the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Tuesday. Chelle, who has previously managed clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, was also head coach of Mali’s Aiglons until his dismissal in June 2024.
The NFF tasked Chelle with guiding the Super Eagles to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. With crucial qualification matches slated for March, his appointment is already generating controversy across the football-loving nation.
As the protests intensify, the NFF is yet to respond to the demands of NANS, leaving the future of the Super Eagles’ coaching leadership in uncertainty.
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