A member of the historic Golden Eaglets team of 1985, Joseph Babatunde, has indicated his willingness to facilitate the movement of sports-talented youths from Ondo State to the United States in furtherance of their sporting and academic aspirations.
United States-based Babatunde made this disclosure on Tuesday in Akure, where he had gone to present football equipment to the Ondo State government to boost the state’s effort at further developing football in the state.
Babatunde, a native of Ilu Tuntun-Osoro in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, was a member of the Nigerian Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship, known as the FIFA U-17 World Cup, hosted by China in 1985.
“I think it will be helpful, hopefully, we can develop a partnership with Ondo State because I am most interested in plans for the youth that are interested in going to the United States on scholarship,” the former football said while being received by the Ondo State governor.
To achieve this, Babatunde, who said he was visiting Ondo State for first time since 1985, said some of his friends “are willing to come and help grow sports in general,” adding that he “will definitely come back with more equipment in the future”.
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, represented by his deputy, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, while welcoming back “our own son” Babatunde , said: “It is not far-fetched when you see someone who has the love of his community, anywhere he is, he will find his way home.”
Describing Dr Mimiko as a sports-loving governor in whose tenure the state has won the women’s Federation Cup for the first time, Mr Oluboyo hinted that the governor might likely organise a dinner and awards night in honour of sports men and women who have brought honour to the state in the past, when the state clocks 40 years next month.
He submitted that Ondo State was ready to partner with Babatunde, whom he said had seen it all, with a promise too that the state government will make judicious use of the equipment donated by the former player.
“I just want to assure you that Ondo State is ready to have a working relationship with you anytime because you are our son and you have seen it all over there. I know you can still help to deliver sports in Ondo State,” Oluboyo said.
Those who joined Mr Oluboyo in receiving Babatunde included the Chief of Staff to Governor Mimiko, Dr Kola Ademujimi; Mr Dayo Awude, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development; Prince John Ola Mafo, Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA); Comrade Jegede Olugbenga, Chairman, Ondo State Sports Council; Dapo Ajibade, Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency; Chief Dele Ajayi, chairman, Ondo Football Association and executive board member, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Babatunde also used the opportunity to visit the street named after him after the Eaglets won the World Cup in 1985. Though officially renamed Babatunde Fapetu Street, it still goes by the old name - Araromi Street.
United States-based Babatunde made this disclosure on Tuesday in Akure, where he had gone to present football equipment to the Ondo State government to boost the state’s effort at further developing football in the state.
Babatunde, a native of Ilu Tuntun-Osoro in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, was a member of the Nigerian Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship, known as the FIFA U-17 World Cup, hosted by China in 1985.
“I think it will be helpful, hopefully, we can develop a partnership with Ondo State because I am most interested in plans for the youth that are interested in going to the United States on scholarship,” the former football said while being received by the Ondo State governor.
To achieve this, Babatunde, who said he was visiting Ondo State for first time since 1985, said some of his friends “are willing to come and help grow sports in general,” adding that he “will definitely come back with more equipment in the future”.
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, represented by his deputy, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, while welcoming back “our own son” Babatunde , said: “It is not far-fetched when you see someone who has the love of his community, anywhere he is, he will find his way home.”
Describing Dr Mimiko as a sports-loving governor in whose tenure the state has won the women’s Federation Cup for the first time, Mr Oluboyo hinted that the governor might likely organise a dinner and awards night in honour of sports men and women who have brought honour to the state in the past, when the state clocks 40 years next month.
He submitted that Ondo State was ready to partner with Babatunde, whom he said had seen it all, with a promise too that the state government will make judicious use of the equipment donated by the former player.
“I just want to assure you that Ondo State is ready to have a working relationship with you anytime because you are our son and you have seen it all over there. I know you can still help to deliver sports in Ondo State,” Oluboyo said.
Those who joined Mr Oluboyo in receiving Babatunde included the Chief of Staff to Governor Mimiko, Dr Kola Ademujimi; Mr Dayo Awude, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development; Prince John Ola Mafo, Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA); Comrade Jegede Olugbenga, Chairman, Ondo State Sports Council; Dapo Ajibade, Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency; Chief Dele Ajayi, chairman, Ondo Football Association and executive board member, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Babatunde also used the opportunity to visit the street named after him after the Eaglets won the World Cup in 1985. Though officially renamed Babatunde Fapetu Street, it still goes by the old name - Araromi Street.
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