12th October, 2011
A total of 32 Ayo Olopon players are expected to take part in the second edition of the Seamans’s Schnapp National Ayo Championship scheduled to hold from 16 to 22 October at Plaza De Aruna Hotel, Ibadan,Oyo State.
President of Traditional Sports Federation, Mohammed Baba Abdulahi, told journalists in Lagos that Oyo State was selected after the successful maiden edition of the tourney held in Edo State at Oba Akenzua Hall.
Abdullahi commended the sponsor, Grand Oak Limited for its unflinching support to the game. He said the company partners them with the view of elevating the standard of the game at a time the federation is facing financial challenges.
He promised that the federation would not relent in their efforts to attract more sponsors for its other games like Abula, Dambe, Kokowa and Langa.
The Marketing Diretor of Grand Oak Limited, Aare Fatai Odesile, said the company will continue to partner with the federation for its subsequent programmes.
Odesile said the partnership with the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria is enduring one aimed at elevating the game to the Commonwealth Games level.
The competition which would feature five events in the Singles, Doubles and Mixed doubles would also honour (Ayo) players.
The Ambassador of Alafin of Oyo, Aare Ayanlakin, who commended the sponsor and the federation for deeming it fit to stage the event in Oyo State, promised that the players and officials would be given a first class treatment throughout the championship.