Odigie-Oyegun wants increased grassroots sports competitions

National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has called for increased sports competitions at the grassroots, saying it had remained veritable tool for national unity.

Besides, he said that sports fostered friendship among youths.

Odigie-Oyegun made the call in his remarks at the kick-off of the first APC National Unity Cup Football Championship on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the championship was first of its kind in the country as it was the first time a political party would organise such event.

Represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Mr Segun Oni, Odigie-Oyegun said aside recreational value, the competition aimed at encouraging team spirit, unity and cohesiveness among youths.

On his part, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, lauded the initiative of the organisers and expressed delight that the championship was taking place in the FCT, the centre of unity.

Bello, who was represented by a Director in his office, Mr Olademeji Hassan, said the championship would create better understanding among participants, drawn from parts of the federation, in addition to enhancing sports development.

Earlier, APC`s National Youth Leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Jolo, had said that the main aim of the championship was to discover talents in football at the grassroots.

He said that the competition was also an avenue for the contingents from 21states of the federation to interact and better appreciate one another.

The youth leader listed the participating states, aside FCT to include Taraba, Benue, Jigawa, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa.

Jolo blamed logistic issues for the inability of the organisers to hold the championship in the six geo-political zones, but expressing confidence that the objective of the event would be achieved.

Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello; his Nasarawa counterpart, Al-Makura, representative of Benue governor and some legislators were among dignitaries that joined APC National Working Committee (NWC) members at the event.