Pillar of Sports Youth Dev. Foundation Launched in Ibadan, with Seminar for Over 150 Football Coaches

The Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation has been inaugurated in Ibadan, Oyo State, with more than 150 football coaches undergoing training at a sports development seminar organized to mark the occasion.

The foundation was launched on Saturday at Moremi Hall, Academy Suites, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, with notable personalities from the sports, traditional, academic and cultural sectors in attendance.

Nigeria football legend, Dr Felix Owolabi, formally inaugurated the foundation alongside the Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Hon. Taiwo Lekan Salami; former Shooting Stars Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro; and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Hon. Kazim Adeyinka Adeniyi, popularly known as Bibire.

The Founder and Chairman of the foundation, Mr. Temitope Ademola Obideyi, who is based in the United States, joined the event virtually and said the initiative was established to use sports as a platform for youth development, empowerment and community transformation.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Adegboyega Sanni; Oyo State Football Association Vice Chairman, Comrade Isaac Olawale Ayangbile; Alhaji Azeez; Coach Michael Oladeni and other sports stakeholders.

Ajewole, while commending Obideyi for establishing the foundation, said the initiative had the potential to create opportunities for young people and strengthen the sports development framework in the state.

He said: “This is a timely and commendable initiative. Sports remains one of the strongest platforms through which we can discover, develop and empower our young people.

“What Obideyi has started deserves the support of every well-meaning son and daughter of Oyo State.”

The Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Adegboyega Sanni, also endorsed the initiative, stressing the importance of investing in young people.

According to him, the state must provide the younger generation with the right environment, guidance and opportunities to realize their potential.

“The future belongs to the young people, and we must give them the right environment, guidance and opportunities to succeed.

“A foundation that brings together sports, education and youth empowerment is not only relevant but necessary at this time,” the monarch said.

Reacting on the Shooting Stars partnership, Chairman of 3SC, Hon. Taiwo Lekan Salami, expressed satisfaction with the partnership between the club and the foundation.

Salami said the collaboration would also provide an avenue to recognize former players and other legends who contributed to the history of the Oluyole Warriors.

“We are happy to partner with the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation. Our legends laid the foundation for what Shooting Stars represents today, and recognizing and celebrating them is important.

“We believe this partnership will further strengthen the connection between the club, its legends and the next generation,” he said.

Coaches that attended the event also underwent training with a seminar featuring five sessions covering different aspects of football and sports development.

Prof. Oladele Oladipo, a FIFA instructor and Professor of Exercise Physiology and Sports Science in the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education at the University of Ibadan, took participants through the laws of the game.

A Shooting Stars match analyst, Jesse Afuye, spoke on “Managing Athletes’ Emotional and Mental Well-being,” while Dr. Jinadu Ayodeji delivered a lecture on cardiac rehabilitation.

Another session, titled “Life After Football,” was delivered by Babateye Akinyele and focused on issues relating to athletes’ transition from active sports into their post-playing careers.

The sessions also provided participants with opportunities to interact with the facilitators and seek practical solutions to challenges confronting football development.

At the end of the programme, certificates were presented to more than 150 coaches who participated in the seminar.

Speaking through the virtual connection, Obideyi thanked the dignitaries, coaches, sports stakeholders and other participants for supporting the launch.

He said the foundation would remain focused on creating opportunities for young people and sports professionals to access knowledge, mentorship and resources capable of helping them build sustainable careers.

Obideyi added that the foundation would pursue initiatives aimed at promoting sports development, education and youth empowerment across Oyo State.

The inauguration marks the commencement of the foundation’s programmes aimed at supporting young athletes and coaches while contributing to the broader development of sports in the state.