All is set for the kickoff of the maiden edition of the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup, scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Bishop Philips Academy, Monatan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The grassroots football tournament is designed to discover young football talents and celebrate the first coronation anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Packaged by Tall & Wide Company in partnership with the Olubadan Palace, and supported by the Oyo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State Sports Council, OSMDA Network, the Oyo State Football Association, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the competition will feature football teams representing various markets across Ibadan.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Olubadan Palace Banquet Hall on Wednesday, Oba Olakulehin—represented by Prince Folaseke Olakulehin—said the tournament would not only serve as a platform to honor his one year on the throne but also act as a breeding ground for fresh football talents who can represent the state and Nigeria at large. He urged all participants to ensure peaceful and fair play throughout the tournament.
Prince Folaseke added, “This competition is a symbol of unity and an investment in the future. We believe this initiative will produce talents that will go on to make Ibadan and Nigeria proud.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Tall & Wide Company and former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, Prince Toye Arulogun, announced that the winning team will go home with a prize of ₦500,000, while the second-place team will receive ₦300,000. The third and fourth-place teams will earn ₦200,000 and ₦100,000 respectively. He also revealed that individual awards will be presented to the Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Highest Goal Scorer. Teams that make it to the semi-final stage will be given branded jerseys.
In his remarks, the Secretary General of the Oyo State Football Association, Mr. Kehinde Ojelowo, disclosed that the opening match will feature First Gbagi Market and Bola Ige Market teams. He added that 17 market teams from Ibadan metropolis have been grouped into four, with players from the Nationwide League One (NLO) eligible to participate. He encouraged professional teams like 3SC to attend the games and scout for emerging talent.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of the official logo and tournament draws. Present at the ceremony were the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass; Iyaloja General of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs) Oguntola Iswat Amerigun; SWAN Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Ajibola Ayomiku; former SWAN Chairman, Comrade Niyi Alebiosu; members of the Oyo State Football Association; and leaders of market men and women associations, among others.
