FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT:TA SPORTS DEVELOPMENT INTERFACES WITH EKITI STATE FOOTBALL REFEREES COUNCIL (EKSFRC)

As part of the efforts of the Ekiti State Governor Mr.Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to develop Sports in Ekiti State, the Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, Dr. (Mrs) Olusola Osetoba on Tuesday held a meeting with members of Ekiti State (Football) Referees Council (EKSFRC) to discuss football development in the state.

In attendance at the meeting were the two Special Assistants to the Governor on Sports Development, Hon Tunde Adesanya and Hon Kola Owoseni. Dr.Osetoba expressed the desire of the government for aggressive sports development. She highlighted the plans of the Government on sports infrastructure and informed the meeting of the ongoing construction of an indoor sports facility beside the pavilion, new Iyin road Ado Ekiti. Earlier, the players and crew of Ekiti State United and Ekiti Queens were dissolved as part of reformative activities to birth a new dawn in football administration.

She described the Referees as critical stakeholders and highly revered umpires in the round leather game. She solicited their cooperation and support for football to develop in the State.

The Acting Chairman of the EKSFRC, S.P Onilearo Kayode expressed his joy and deep appreciation to Ekiti State Government through the Technical Advisor for the meeting which he described as the first of its kind in the history of football in Ekiti State. On behalf of the Referees, he congratulated the T.A and the S.As for their appointment and prayed for unquantifiable success during their tenure.

The Acting Chairman of EKSFRC noted that the action of Mr Governor to separate sport from the Ministry of Youth is the harbinger of goodness and the right move for sports development.

S.P Onilearo, who was accompanied by Executive members, Elders and active Referees of the Council, presented the positions of EKSFRC which included incorporation of referees to the state clubs for continuous enlightenment of the players and crew on the changes in the Laws of the Game, Government support on the hosting of sports seminars and workshop with FIFA Instructors as facilitators to create a productive relationship with the top echelon in football administration, merit-based appointment/recruitment of players and coaching crew of state clubs, involvement in football politics and harmonious relationship of sports writers in the State to build a good image for football administration, talent discoveries in the grassroots as well as government support on the recruitment of Referees in Training (RITs) drive in the LGAs/LCDAs, among others

The Acting Chairman on behalf of the EKSFRC promised the support of the Council on football development and prayer for a better outing for the state clubs in the next football season.