Ondo Club Owners Association Inaugurates BOT Member, Finalizes Plans for 2026 State League

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By Sedara Philip

The Ondo State Football Club Owners Association has taken a significant step forward in strengthening football administration and development in the state, following the successful outcome of its recent meeting held yesterday.

At the meeting, the Association officially inaugurated the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council, Evelyn Lebi, as a member of its Board of Trustees (BOT). Her inclusion is widely regarded as a strategic move aimed at reinforcing institutional collaboration and ensuring stronger alignment between the Association and government-backed sports structures.

In the same vein, Mr. Timileyin Filegbe, a respected entrepreneur and owner of Fam Guest House, was formally appointed as Patron of the Association. His appointment is expected to provide both moral and financial support, further boosting the Association’s capacity to execute its developmental programmes

Meanwhile, preparations for the much-anticipated 2026 Ondo State Club Owners Association Football League have intensified, as coordinators across the state convened to finalize the competition format and operational framework.

The meeting of coordinators marks a major milestone in the journey toward delivering a well-structured and competitive league. The competition, which has received official endorsement from the Ondo State Football Association is designed to create a unified and professional platform for football club owners across the state to collaborate, compete, and achieve shared developmental objectives.

According to the proposed format, the league will commence between May and June 2026 and will be played across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State.

Northern Senatorial District:

Akoko South East, Akoko South West, Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Ose, and Owo.

Central Senatorial District:

Akure South, Akure North, Ifedore, Idanre, Ondo East, and Ondo West.

Southern Senatorial District:

Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, Irele, and Ese-Odo.

Teams will compete at zonal levels within their respective districts, ensuring grassroots participation and local rivalries. At the end of the zonal phase, two teams from each senatorial district will qualify for the next stage.

The top six teams will then advance to a highly competitive Super Six tournament, scheduled to take place in Akure, the state capital, where the ultimate champion will emerge.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chairman of the Association, Adepoju Banjo, described the league as a long-term investment in the future of football in Ondo State.

He emphasized that the project goes beyond competition, focusing on structured player development, talent discovery, and career progression pathways for young footballers.

According to him outstanding players will have opportunities to be selected into clubs in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Top coaches, scouts, and technical experts will be present, particularly during the Super Six stage.

The league will serve as a scouting hub for national team selectors and international football academies.

Adepoju further highlighted ongoing collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Ondo State Football Association, national team coaches, and international football bodies. These partnerships are expected to elevate the league’s standard and provide wider exposure for participating players.

He described the initiative as a landmark project that will not only strengthen football structures in the state but also foster unity, professionalism, and stronger relationships among football club owners.

Ultimately, the league is poised to become a cornerstone of grassroots football development in Ondo State, creating opportunities for players, coaches, and administrators while positioning the state as a hub for football excellence in Nigeria.