The maiden edition of Dero 5-Aside Football Tournament recently held in Remo division of Ogun State received royal endorsement from Alaye Ode of Ode-Remo, His Royal Highness Oba Adetunji Osho; Olori Stella Osho; Oba Mukaila Oduwaye and his Olori; Onifojege of Fojege Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya; Ewusi of Makun Sagamu; and Olori Oduwaye, who graced the competition.
The ripples created by the tournament across the length and breadth of Remo, Ijebu, Sagamu axis in Ogun State still reverberate.
The football competition is an initiative of the Convener, Prince Olumuyiwa Osindero (well known as Omo Dero). It was organised under the auspices of Dero Foundation with a mission of using sports development and entertainment as a basis to create unity among youths across all the communities in Remo North Local Government Area (LGA) and environ.
Its diffentiation the professional touches adopted by the organisers to have the competition played in a strategic locations. For the first time in Remo/Ijebuland, a football completion was played inside the palace.
Despite the competition being its the maiden edition and held during the year end when various organisations and communities were busy rounding up for the year, it still attracted many VVIPs as collaborators and spectators.
They included Deputy Minority Whip Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Dickson Kolawole Awolaja, who was represented by Sanya Atakan; Chief Mayegun Kola Ogunjobi; and Lukman Olomowewe.
Over 18 clubs registered for the competition, while two others were disqualified for late submission of registration forms. In all, 12 clubs from Remo North LGA, while three from Ikenne LGA and only one Sagamu LGA participated.
According to Osindero, the palace was choosing as the best venue careful many factors, which include accessibility and security.
He said that, on approaching the Alaye of Ode-Remo, approval was granted immediately for the good pitch and security.
” We all know our Kabiyesi is a sport-loving Oba, a football enthusiast and a ruler with undying passion and commitment to the development of his kingdom”, Osindero said.
Registration for the tournament ran from 13th November to 25th November. Match draws and club re-orientations on the governing rules and regulations took place on 28th November at the Alaye-Ode Palace, Ode-Remo while the tournament kicked off on 4th December and ended on 29th December 2023.
