Corruption, The Bane Of Nigerian Football - Afe Babalola

Strong grassroots football backer in Nigeria and a respected legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola has identified corruption as major problem plaguing Nigerian football, but the constituted authorities often feign ignorance.

The Oyo State Pillar of Sports made the call while addressing the crowd that came to watch the finals of Ibadan Football Association League tagged Afe Babalola Champions Cup which he bankrolled with N.4million, played at Olubadan Stadium Ibadan over the weekend.

The Ekiti High Chief cited the recently bad image the ridiculous scoreline recorded in our Nationwide League matches where two qualifying games produced 164 goals.

''That showed the world the extent of our putrefy when it comes to the desperation of our people to get results in sports.

''I think stringent punishment should be melted out to the culprits, so that our league would not remain subject of mockery before the whole sporting world”, Babalola noted.

Immigration FC carted home  =N=100,000 and a giant trophy after defeating Wasiu Taiwo FC who got =N=50,000, in a penalty shootout after 1-1 scoreline at regulated time, while Diamond FC who came third went home with =N=25,000 cash prize.

Among dignitaries that accompanied President of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) to the venue was FIFA/CAF advisor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, former NFA Secretary General, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and the Majority Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly Hon. Oyeniyi Oyeniran among others.

Photo Caption: (L-R) Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and Ahlaji Banji Akintayo Chairman Ibadan Football Association at the final of Afe Champions League played at Olubadan Stadium Ibadan.