A philanthropist, Chief Ayodele Oluwatosin, has expressed his determination to develop the game of handball at the grassroots level.
Oluwatosin stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of his handball championship on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
NAN reports that the one-day championship, titled: ‘Otunba Ayodele Oluwatosin Handball Championship’ (OAOHC), had the team led by Mr Stephen Abitogun emerging winner of the maiden edition.
The Abitogun-led team had earlier defeated team Otunba Ayodele Oluwatosin 7-2 before getting a better side of the Ondo State Police Machine 8-4 to go home with the coveted prize.
Oluwatosin’s team recorded a 9-7 victory over Ondo State Police Machine to emerge second in the competition, while Police Machine ended the championship without any victory, to settle for third position.
Oluwatosin said that he decided to sponsor the championship in order to contribute his own quota toward sports development in the state, with special interest in handball.
According to him, the championship will become a yearly event, with better improvement.
“I am a fan of handball and that is why I started with handball.
“By God’s grace, we will look at other sports in our continued efforts to join hands with government to develop sports in the state,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Stephen Abitogun, representing Akure Constituency II in the House of Assembly, commended the sponsor for his contributions to the development of sports in the state.
Abitogun said that the sponsor had done well by identifying crucial areas where the potential youth could be harnessed for the prosperity of the state.
He thanked the General Manager of the State Sports Council, Mr Henry Babatunde, for his efforts at ensuring that all departments of sports were doing well.
“I’m elated to be here, and with the catch-them-young policy of the state government, we will produce world best sports men and women,” he said.
Secretary of the State Handball Association, Mrs Ife Daramola, appreciated the sponsor for identifying with the association, urging him to support the team’s participation in the Handball Premier League next year.
