By Dayo Johnson Akure

The maiden edition of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival in Ondo State has ended on a colourful note at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Sports Complex.

It attracted a large turnout of sports enthusiasts and youths.

The grassroots sports fiesta, organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), featured athletes from the various zones of the state competing in football, athletics, table tennis and other games.

Speaking at the grand finale, the Director-General of GMT in Ondo State, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the festival was designed to discover, nurture and develop young talents while promoting unity, discipline and youth engagement through sports.

Yusuf-Ogunleye noted that sports remained a powerful tool for nation-building, adding that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emphasis on youth empowerment and productive engagement.

He appreciated the sponsor of the festival, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his steadfast support and encouragement for the group.

The Director General said that the festival also served as a platform to mobilise grassroots support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while providing young people with opportunities to showcase their talents in a competitive but friendly environment.

Yusuf-Ogunleye expressed appreciation to FUTA and other tertiary institutions across the zones for providing facilities that ensured the smooth hosting of the festival, despite logistical challenges.

According to him “Our vision is clear: to mobilize grassroots support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while enlightening citizens about policies that aim to strengthen the economy, create jobs, secure lives and restore national confidence.

“Our mission is to engage, educate and empower, peacefully and patriotically, ensuring that governance is understood not as distant politics but as shared responsibility,” he said.

The festival ended with the presentation of trophies, medals and prizes to outstanding athletes and teams, marking the successful conclusion of the sporting event.

In the football competition, Okitipupa Zone emerged overall champions, defeating strong opposition from other zones, while Akoko Zone finished second and Akure Zone placed third.

Athletics events produced impressive performances, with Temitope Bello of Akoko Zone winning the men’s 100 metres race, ahead of Olumide Daniel of Ondo Zone and Saliu Toheeb, also of Akoko Zone.

Sunny Mumini of Akoko Zone clinched first place in the 400 metres race, followed by Wisdom James of Akure Zone in second position and Owolabi Victor of Ondo Zone in third.

In the combined 100 and 400 metres event, Nelson Joseph of Akoko Zone emerged winner, with Wisdom James of Akure Zone and Adeyeye Richard of Ondo Zone finishing second and third respectively.

Other events also recorded notable performances, as Ayo Olopon Omosowon Idowu emerged winner in his category, while Akindele Metinukuro and Olowolafe Abiodun finished second and third respectively.

In the table tennis event, Ilesanmi Olatunji of Akure Zone took first place, while Timothy and Fusho Abiodun placed second and third respectively.

The DG of GMT in Ogun State, Hon. Tola Banjo, said the group’s collective purpose is to work together and showcase the good work of the president because campaign had not started.

He commended the initiative behind the sports festival, noting that it would engender grassroots development end engagement.

Also speaking, former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ondo State, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi said the programme showcased achievements of Tinubu, assuring that it was time for the region to rally round Tinubu and allow him finish his terms.

Also present at the event are GMT state working committee, GMT leaders from the Southwest, local government coordinators, members and past commissioners in the state.