Technical Advisor on Sports Development, Osetoba, Ado North LCDA Boss Gbadamosi Rally Support For Inmates As Correctional Center, Ado Ekiti Host First Football Tournament Among Inmates

It was a moment of sober reflection mixed with excitement at the final of the maiden Football championship among inmates at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Center.

The final match had in attendance the Technical Advisor on Sports Development, Dr Olusola Osetoba and the Chairman of Ado North LCDA, Hon Adetokunbo Gbadamosi who were accompanied by other government fucnctionaries including the two Special Assistants to the governor on Sports Development, Hon. Tunde Adesanya and Hon. Kola Owoseni as well as officials of the Ekiti State Sports Commission headed by the Director of Administration, Mr Muyiwa Ogundele.

The Officer in Charge of the Correctional Center, Mr Temitope Amele who welcomed the dignitaries to the center said the authorities thought it wise to organize a football tournament among the inmates in view of the benefits inherent in it including unity, together, team spirit and display of natural Sports potentials.

Mr Amele solicited the support of political, religious and other stakeholders towards giving hope, joy and sense of belonging to the inmates who are being rehabilitated and moulded into virtuous personalities in the society after their days in incarceration.

The Technical Advisor on Sports Development Dr Olusola Osetoba who took the official kickoff prior to the commencement of the match lauded the initiative saying it was an eye opener for her and other government functionaries .

She promised to take their matters to the Sports loving governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji whom she described as compassionate.

Dr Osetoba who danced and sang with the inmates who have a music band urged the inmates not to give up , but rather keep hope alive and be optimistic of freedom soon.

In the same vein, the chairman of Ado North LCDA, Hon Adetokunbo Gbadamosi who was briefed about the circumstances leading to the incarceration of some of the inmates especially women sympathized with them and promised to personally look into how some of them could regain freedom through legal means.

The local government boss who wore a green Sports outfit promised to purchase soccer boots for the team that finished as runners up as compensation and moral booster for them.

Out of empathy, Hon Gbadamosi who spotted some pregnant women among the inmates enquired about their cases and vowed to take it up to a logical conclusion.

While saluting the courage, hospitality, kindness and warmth exhibited by the Officer in Charge, Mr Amele and his team towards the inmates, she promised constant visit to the Correctional Center to assess the situation of things and livelihood of the inmates.

Hon Gbadamosi expressed confidence that the Sports authorities in Ekiti State headed by the Technical Advisor on Sports Development, Dr Olusola Osetoba would do the needful to positively engage the Sports inclined inmates at the facility with the hope of re-integrating them back into the society through Sports.

The Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Ekiti State Chapter, Qozeem Oladapo who doubles as a member of the Sports Development Trust Fund Board in Ekiti State on behalf of SWAN promised to reach out to friends of the Association to raise funds for the purchase of two sets of complete jersey for the inmates ahead of the next edition of the football tournament.

Through the Sports Writers Association, Oladapo also promised to facilitate a bigger tournament in coming months.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of some handmade crafts and liquid soap prepared by some fo the inmates who are beneficiaries of a vocational center within the Correctional facility to the dignitaries who gladly bought them as a show of love and appreciation of the potentials of the inmates.

The Director of Sports at the Correctional Center, Mr Johnson Fabusuyi thanked the dignitaries for their visit and the affection shown.

A trophy and token cash gift courtesy of the Officer in Charge, Director of Sports and other Sports loving staff of the Correctional Center were presented to the champions known as General IG FC after beating Officer In Charge FC on penalties at the final.

There were also cash gifts for the runners up and other individual outstanding players including the joint highest goal scorers, best player and best goalkeeper.

Coach Fasanmi Olatunji (Africa) being the Officer in Charge (Sports) Headquarters said Sports teams have been brought to the Correctional Center to play friendly matches with the inmate teams in various Sports while efforts are being intensified to register them for State League and other leagues within the State in future.