Adegoke Commits N2.5 Million To Osun U-16 Football League, Targets Grassroots Sports Development

Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District, has demonstrated his commitment to grassroots sports development with a N2.5 million intervention for the third edition of the Osun FA/Smartcity U-16 Football League.

Adegoke, popularly known as KRAD, announced that he would provide N250,000 each to the six clubs from Osun Central participating in the competition, bringing the total support to the clubs to N1.5 million.

He will also donate another N1 million to the organising body of the Osun FA/Smartcity U-16 League to support the successful staging of the tournament.

The six clubs from Osun Central benefiting from the intervention are Crescent FC, Inisa; Hommydays FC, Osogbo; 3FC NG, Ifon; Ovit FA, Iragbiji; Igbajo United Feeders and Golden Boys, Osogbo.

The gesture comes as 12 teams prepare to battle for honours in the latest edition of the Osun FA/Smartcity U-16 Football League, powered by Smartcity PLC.

The previous edition produced an exciting final, with Hommydays FC of Osogbo emerging champions after playing out a 1-1 draw with Ejigbo FA before securing victory in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Speaking on his decision to support the clubs and the competition, Adegoke said his intervention was driven by his conviction that sports can serve as a powerful platform for youth development, employment creation and community growth.

“I believe in sports as an industry, not just recreation. Our young people deserve meaningful pathways from grassroots participation to professional opportunity. Supporting these clubs and the league is a practical way to contribute to that journey,” he said.

The APC candidate further stated that sports development would occupy an important place in his legislative agenda, particularly in creating opportunities for young people across Osun Central.

He said his focus would include advocating for the rehabilitation and development of sports facilities, strengthening grassroots competitions and talent identification, and promoting football, athletics, basketball and other sporting disciplines.

Adegoke also expressed his intention to pursue partnerships that would improve coaching education, sports medicine and sports administration, while advocating for greater access to federal sports development programmes and opportunities that can connect talented athletes with scouts, academies and professional clubs.

According to him, sports can also play an important role in engaging young people, promoting peace and strengthening community identity.

“My ambition is to help build a sports ecosystem that produces champions, creates jobs and attracts investment. This support is not only about a football competition; it is about investing in discipline, talent, opportunity and the future of our young people,” he added.

Adegoke congratulated the Osun Football Association, Smartcity PLC, the participating clubs, coaches, officials and young players ahead of the third edition of the competition, while wishing all 12 teams a successful and competitive tournament.