The organized maiden edition of Oyo Premier Club 1960 festival games has been concluded with a lot prizes won by the winners of various games.
Oyo town was agog as the festival attracted participants, guests near to and far from the ancient town as high calibers of talented sportsmen drawn from different clubs featured at the maiden edition of Oyo 2023 Games Festival.
The event which took place on Thursday, 24th of August, 2023 at the club premises, Owode, Oyo town, Oyo state, had in attendance the pioneer club president, chairman board of trustees, past presidents, world-class game experts, professionals, and lots more.
Games completed include; table tennis, lawn tennis, Darts, and Ayo Olopan.
Some of the invited clubs are Recreation Club, Akunlemu Oyo, Ibadan Recreation Club, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Ijesha Sports Club, Ilesa, Osun and Abeokuta Sports Club, Ogun state,
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In his welcome address, the President of the Oyo Premier Club 1960, Barrister Michael Olaide Olanipekun Esq in his appreciation message to the attendees, said the reasons behind the organized games festival is an aim to put to test the interest of the club members, saying some of the members are aged and retirees who engaged in sporting activities in which it is seen as the best medicine for mind and the body.
He said: “As part of my cardinal plan during the my Inauguration, I promised to return the lost glory of the club activities, sporting activities inclusive, today, to the glory of God, it has become reality, it was successful and promise that, we’will improve on some of the challenges we experience here today.
” The games festival is to re-energizing our old retiree members not to be idle, sitting down at home, we want to engage in sports for fitness.
Olanipekun added that, there is an organized Gala Night to award winners, participating clubs, and other consolation prizes .
“We promised to host the event annually to have cordial relations with our neighboring clubs while we promised to add more games like Snookers, Ludo, Draft, and lots more.
” Our core objective is always to engage in recreational activities aimed to put the body and soul together, as well as the brain to a very good test and make the blood to be agile, which are the core values of the club founding fathers” Olanipekun stated.
In his goodwill message, the club’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola commended the Club president for the great initiative, noting that Oyo Premier Club is part of the national clubs hosting Darts games, which has become national recognition.
He added that all invited clubs performed excellently well and to him, Oyo Premier Club enjoyed the spirit of sportsmanship, togetherness, and cordial relations promising to improve on some games that needed more attention ahead of next year.
Speaking further Ogunmola avail the public of the club’s vision to engage more in sporting activities, intellectually engaging with the grassroots Youths, and helping Indigenes with employment and those seeking admission to tertiary institutions.
Equally, the chairman of the planning committee Elder George Olugboyega Olatoregun and secretary, Olukunle Oyegbade Ojo lauded the participating clubs for their presence, and productive performance showcase during the game session, stating that the Olympics isn’t to win but to participate, as the host team, Oyo Premier Club 1960 won Ayo Olopan as well as taken second and third position in other games.
“We can see our people responded positively, We’re very glad to host this event, the Oyo Games festival has come to stay, and subsequent events will be palatable than this, and we shall improve in all areas.
They applauded the club president for his initiative on such a unique games festival which has placed the Club on a high rank among its peers.
Highlights of games event; Ibadan Recreation Club won table tennis competitions, both double and Single, Abeokuta Sports Club (second position), and Ijesha Sports Club, third position.
On Lawn tennis, Ibadan Recreation Club won first position, and Oyo Recreation Club (second position).
Dart games were won by Ibadan Recreation Club, Adeyemi Saheed, second position went to Abeokuta Sports Club (Oyegbola Femi), and third position, to Oyo Premier Club 1960 (Taiwo Alade)
Ayo Olopan game was won by Oyo Premier Club 1960, Abeokuta Sports Club second position while Oyo Recreation Club emerged in third position.
Speaking on behalf of the participating Club, Ibadan Sports Club, Mr. Ajibike applauded Oyo Premier Club for the maiden sports fiesta, although Ibadan won the majority of the game and he’s elated to return home with a truckload of trophies.
Ajibike expressed delight at the unique program and especially saluted the participating club, while expressing gratitude for the success of the game, he appreciated the club’s conducive environment and professional equipment used at the events.
