ONDO — The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State Chapter, on Thursday unveiled the Tinubu Sports Festival 2025 — a state-wide initiative designed to strengthen grassroots sports development and promote the ideals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The unveiling, held at the Adeyemi College of Education Sports Arena, Ondo West, attracted sports enthusiasts, political leaders, and community figures.
Speaking at the event, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Director General of GMT in Ondo State, said the initiative was conceived to showcase President Tinubu’s achievements and reform-driven leadership.
He emphasized that Nigerian athletes are now being accorded national recognition and material rewards under the current administration.
“Sports has gone beyond entertainment. Today, it is a business, a platform to discover talents and engage youths positively. Apart from mobilising support for Asiwaju, this initiative will take youths off the streets and help them build sustainable careers,”
Yusuf-Ogunleye said.
He noted that the 30-day festival will hold across five zones of the state and feature multiple sporting categories, including football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, lawn tennis, wrestling, athletics, boxing, and traditional games like Ayo Olopon.
The grand finale is slated for December 6 in Akure, the state capital, to celebrate President Tinubu’s passion for sports and youth empowerment.
The GMT DG expressed appreciation to Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for sponsoring the initiative and for his commitment to nurturing young talents.
“The initiative is humanitarian. We are asking government, individuals, and corporate bodies to collaborate and make society work,” he added.
Also speaking, Tola Banjo, Director General of GMT in Ogun State, described the festival as historic, lauding the Interior Minister as “a pride to the nation” whose leadership has redefined public service through reforms and humanitarian gestures.
Similarly, Muyiwa Asagunla, Director General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, said Tunji-Ojo’s support transcends politics, as he is currently sponsoring over seven support groups across Ondo to promote the president’s agenda and impact communities.
“These efforts are part of the broader humanitarian vision of the minister and the president to bring positive change across the country,” Asagunla noted.
In her remarks, former Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Oladunni Odu, hailed Tunji-Ojo as a rare gem and household name in Ondo State, commending his alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.
The event kicked off with an opening football match between Zion Warriors FC and Young Kings FC, with the latter winning 1–0 in a tightly contested game.
