By Salam Saheed
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Engineer Tosin Lateef Kolade, popularly known as Tosin Awodi-Oke, has organised a 32-team grassroots football tournament in Ago-Are, Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, with the competition dedicated to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC 2027 Oyo State governorship Candidate Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and Hon. Adesoji Michael Adedeji.
Organised by the Engr. Tosin Awodi-Oke, the tournament brings together football teams from four Local Government Areas in Oke-Ogun and combines grassroots sporting activities with political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisers said the initiative is designed to promote youth participation, grassroots football, talent discovery and sportsmanship, while also expressing support for the APC candidates honoured by the tournament.
The competition, tagged “Uniting Talent, Promoting Sportsmanship, Building Champions,” commenced on Tuesday, September 22, at Ago-Are, with matches taking place at the Basega Football Pitch and ADS Football Pitch. Baptist High School, Ago-Are, is also being used for activities connected with the tournament.
The participating teams comprise 16 teams from Atisbo, six from Saki West, four from Itesiwaju and four from Saki East, bringing together young footballers from communities across Oke-Ogun.
The tournament is particularly significant politically because it provides a grassroots platform through which the organisers are publicly associating the sporting initiative with the APC’s 2027 political campaign and the party’s candidates in Oyo State.
At the tournament, football enthusiasts and residents also witnessed the encounter between Awuru Rangers FC of Sepeteri and Rising Stars FC of Sepeteri, one of the fixtures attracting attention among participating communities.
Beyond the political dimension, the organisers have stated that the tournament is intended to create opportunities for young players to develop their football skills, gain competitive experience and interact with peers from neighbouring communities.
The initiative has also generated positive reactions among some participants and spectators, with supporters of the foundation describing Engr. Tosin Awodi-Oke as a person who has consistently supported youth-oriented initiatives and community members in need.
With 32 teams competing for the Tosin Awodi-Oke Cup, the tournament combines grassroots sporting competition with the organizer’s publicly stated political support for the APC’s 2027 candidates, while placing youth development and community participation at the center of the event.