17th April, 2020
The ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria is set to receive a newly formed football club by the sports loving indigenes of the city.
The club, Olumo United FC is named after the popular tourist centre, “Olumo Rock”, and is being officially launched as a proposed Division One club in the Nigerian National League next season with the home ground in Abeokuta.
According to the founder and Chairman of the club, Mr Segun Solanke, Olumo United Football Club is an indigenous clubside from Abeokuta in Ogun State, with the readiness to show the world what real football culture is all about, and will be playing in the Nigerian league, while also showcasing itself internationally.
He said that Ogun State is known to be the pacesetter of great soccer legacies such as the Abiola Babes Football Club and great legendary footballers among whom are former skipper of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Chief Segun Odegbami and the late Muda Lawal among others. He added that Olumo United FC is set to bring back the glory of soccer to Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
Olumo United FC will be officially unveiled today, Friday, 17 April, 2020, which coincides with the birthday of Chairman Segun Solanke.
Solanke, popularly known as “Majorsho” said: “Olumo United Football Club, as the club is christened, is created to target young talents in Abeokuta city, Ogun State, Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We want to give our footballers the opportunity to showcase their God- given talents to the world.
“There is no doubt that 2020 is a year that will never be forgotten in Nigeria and the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we at Olumo United FC will also never forget 2020 as the year that we are launched into the Nigerian and international soccer community.
“Our home ground is in Abeokuta, but we are a full representation of the people of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
Majorsho has been a sport loving philanthropist, targeting youth footballers early in their prime, using the “catch them young approach” to talent discovery. He has been part of major sports and recreational activities across Ogun State and also in the neighbouring Lagos state.
“Sports and recreational activities remain the best approach to engage our youths and make them discover themselves early in life because doing this will improve their productivity and reduce crime rate in our society. Sports is a big business, and if the business aspect of sports, is well managed, it will add immensely to the GDP of our state and the country as a whole,” he said.
The Chief Head Scout of the club, Paul Olayemi Ogunlaja disclosed that trials and talents recruitment dates will be announced on the clubs social media handles; Twitter – @olumounitedfc, Facebook – https://facebook.com/olumounitedfc, Youtube – @olumounitedfc and Instagram – @olumounitedfc
“We implore all youngsters between the ages 17 and 25 years to like and follow the club’s social media handles for them to get up to date information on the trials and the club’s activities,” Ogunlaja said.
The Director of Olumo United FC Academy, Bukola Alabi Edem further disclosed that the academy arm of the club, which is also known as Kidsport Football Academy, will recruit to groom players from under 6 to 17 years who will be expecting to graduate and join the main club.