Passion, policy and power propel U-17 teams to national spotlight

...As Dr. Osetoba, pays glowing tribute to the bedrock of cricket in the State, Honourable Oyebode

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel

The gentleman's game of cricket is no longer whispering in Ekiti State, it is roaring and the sound echoes beyond the State.

In a state where dreams are steadily being rebuilt through sport, the Technical Adviser on Sports Development to Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, has paid glowing tribute to the man she calls the bedrock of cricket in the state, Honourable Akin Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development.

Her words were not casual compliments. They were the kind reserved for builders of legacy.

Describing Oyebode as selfless, dedicated, and a true son of the soil, Dr. Osetoba pointed to a simple truth, passion backed by action changes everything.

And in Ekiti, that passion has found expression in willow and leather.

From dusty practice pitches to national relevance, cricket in the Land of Honour is rising, rising fast too.

Team Ekiti’s male and female Under-17 squads are now set to storm the national championship in Abeokuta from February 18–21, 2026, not as spectators, but as contenders.

It is a moment built on vision, commitment, and sustained investment.

According to the Technical Adviser, Oyebode’s stewardship as chairman of the state’s cricket body has transformed policy into performance.

What once seemed a niche sport has broken beyond its former limits. There is a structure. There is visibility. There are opportunities and most importantly there is belief.

This latest sponsorship follows a similar bold backing of the 2025 edition in Lagos, a signal that Ekiti’s cricket revival is not a one-off gesture but a deliberate, long-term mission.

According to Dr. Osetoba, it aligns seamlessly with Governor Oyebanji’s sporting blueprint, one designed not merely to host tournaments, but to build futures.

Over the past three years, that blueprint has delivered measurable gains:

• Increased youth participation

• Stronger talent identification systems

• A growing pipeline of young athletes sharpening their skills with real competitive exposure

Cricket in Ekiti is no longer surviving, it is evolving.

Dr. Osetoba was clear in her message; "Sport is not just recreation. It is an opportunity. It is empowerment. It is social and economic mobility wrapped in discipline and teamwork.”

For the young boys and girls preparing to represent Ekiti in Abeokuta, this is more than a championship.

It is proof that when leadership meets passion, when policy meets purpose, and when investment meets vision, dreams gain momentum.

Osetoba, the proficient and quintessential sports administrator, stressed that Ekiti’s cricket story is being written boldly and the next chapter is about to unfold.

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