Pinnick: OLMC Is A Model For Grassroots Development

The 11 –month old Amaju Pinnick –led administration at Nigeria Football Federation will do only those things that are right and proper for the development of Nigeria football, even in the face of hollow voices of dissent, says NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

Pinnick spoke on Wednesday in Abuja as the NFF poured more praises on the Ondo State Football Association for launching a state version of the League Management Company (OLMC) to engineer real grassroots development of the game in that State.

On Tuesday, Ondo State FA boss, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, also a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, had presented the OLMC to NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Pinnick met with the group on Wednesday, alongside Sanusi, and commended the vision behind the OLMC, while admitting that though the idea was adopted from Delta State, the Ondo proponents have adopted and set about the task in a much better way.

“I am excited at this idea that has become reality, and I can assure you that the NFF will give you total support, but always work together with the Ondo State FA. I am happy that you have taken the cardinal aspect – refereeing – as serious as it should be, by organizing seminar for the referees. Your plan to have one of the Coaches of the National Teams to conduct a workshop for your coaches will be fully supported by the NFF.

“This NFF will support every development program that is well –grounded, such as the OLMC. We are committed to doing things right, even in the face of dissent by a few individuals, which is normal. I want to use this opportunity to challenge other States and zones (my South-South people should be listening!) to join this noble train and help discover talents for the various leading Clubs and the National Teams.”

Pinnick used the opportunity to call on Corporate Ondo (thriving businesses within Ondo State) to come out in full force to support the OLMC project, which he called “a great turning point for Nigeria football development.”

Otunba Dele-Ajayi later presented the OLMC to the leadership of League Management Company (LMC), led by the Chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko, who is also 2nd Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation.

Dikko charged the committee to shun greed and be committed to seeing that they achieve the main aim it was set up.

The LMC boss promised the OLMC the LMC’s support in every way it can. He maintained further that the LMC will be ready to advise the OLMC on the right path to take, while reminding the OLMC on the need to set up legal platforms and governing structure. This, he said, they must do in collaboration with Ondo FA.

Dikko also pointed out that the body would need to form a rule -book to guide the running of the league.

NFF Commends Ondo FA On OLMC

The Nigeria Football Federation has showered praises on the Ondo State Football Association for the inauguration, as well as the cardinal objectives behind the Ondo State League Management Company.

At a formal presentation of the OLMC to the NFF in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, extolled the vision and commitments of the OLMC, and showered encomiums on the Ondo FA for the initiative.

“I must state that this is the first time that a State is taking this bold step, which is in tandem with the vision and mission of the present NFF administration. The present NFF administration has short –term, medium –term and long –term objectives, and sustained development of the game from the grassroots level is the long–term.

“I am happy to see that you are working together with the Ondo FA, and also want to advise that you should work harmoniously with the Ondo State Referees Council, and to only make use of registered referees, while you also build a mechanism that will ensure continuity. Your efforts are both commendable and worthy of emulation,” Sanusi said. He also charged the new body to make transparency and accountability their watchwords.

In presenting the OLMC, which he inaugurated in March this year, Chairman of the Ondo State FA and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, stated that the new body is committed to working assiduously to see Ondo State produces the most players in the various National Teams in the near future.

OLMC Chairman, Prince Dapo Ajibade, explained that a total of 16 teams have already registered for the first season that starts in October, while the pre-season tournament that is currently on has presaged an excellent season.

“I can tell you that from the pre-season tournament that is on, we believe that everything will work out brilliantly. We have passion to discover talents in Ondo State and to run football professionally without government support, and also to pioneer a genuine social platform to promote sports tourism.”

Akure Stadium Will Some of the Ondo State Premier League games

The OLMC is committed to providing 15 pairs of soccer boots per team, two sets of customized jerseys per team, 50 jerseys for referees and monthly allowance per team. The Ondo State Premier League matches will take place at the Akure Township Stadium, Ondo Township Stadium, Okitipupa Township Stadium, Owo Township Stadium and Ikare Township Stadium.

Other members of the OLMC are Ibukun Faloye (vice chairman), Ade Gbangba, Fidelis Fabidun, Henry Babatunde, Daramola Ife, Tunde Igbasan, Michael Fabonmi, Sola Oke, Aderemi Adetula (secretary) and Timilehin Oni (administrative secretary).

Falconets Play Goalless Draw With Sunshine Queens

Nigeria’s U-20 Women National Team, The Falconets , played a goal less draw against Sunshine Queens of Akure in a friendly.

The match took place at the Ondo township stadium.
As part of burial activities for Ondo State Governor’s mother in-law, the late chief Felicia Modupe Adeneyi.

The two teams put on a good fight, with both sides missing scoring chances.

Head coach, Peter Dedevbo, said  sunshine queens played a robust match trying to impress the home crowd.

“I had to advice my girls to  play safe to avoid  injuries as the world cup draws closer”.

The match  he notes is a build up to  friendly against the Black Princess of Ghana next month.

” Friendlies will give me the opportunity to experiment on the team’s performance”.

He said the technical crew is not relaxing on the Ondo result, but will intensify preparations for the world cup.

“I must ensure that the team’s training from now on be focused on ball work and the physical build of the players”.

Governor olusegun Mimiko and his wife Olukemi Mimiko were among hundreds of spectators who watched the match.

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