Olowo Cup: A Festival of Football, Unity and Community Growth — Says International Scout, Abdul-Gafar Oladimeji

Abdul-Gafar Oladimeji 

By Jimoh Ahmed, Owo

International football scout and sports journalist, Abdul-Gafar Oladimeji, has hailed the Olowo Cup as a model for how grassroots football can serve as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, cultural integration, and community transformation.

Speaking from his base in Egypt, the widely travelled News Editor of Sahel Sports Online Newspaper, who has covered football activities across Europe, Qatar, and Oman, said the Olowo Cup deserves every accolade for using the universal language of football to spotlight the vibrancy and unity of the Owo people.

“My profound congratulations to the organisers of the Olowo Cup,” Oladimeji stated. “They deserve kudos for deploying football — a tool that builds bridges and shapes human lives — to bring the youths and hospitable people of Owo to the spotlight in a very positive light.”

He commended the royal father, His Imperial Majesty, the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, for establishing the tournament. According to Oladimeji, the monarch’s royal decision to create and support the competition has yielded “massive rewards,” notably in fostering cultural development and promoting unity among the people.

“I mean it when I say massive,” he emphasized. “I have followed the competitions. It has become a rallying point for cultural expression, promoting social interaction, and projecting the Olowo Cup as a powerful symbol of identity and pride. It has also inspired unique communal sports rituals and traditions.”

Oladimeji further noted the ripple effects of the tournament across school communities within and around Owo, stating that the Olowo Cup has awakened a new consciousness for development among students, teachers, and local leaders.

“Schools have been positively infested with the spirit of community development. The competition has promoted social inclusion, enhanced physical and mental well-being, and contributed to building stronger, more cohesive communities through shared passion and engagement,” he said.

The veteran sports journalist and scout described the tournament as a beacon of hope and a model for other communities seeking to use sports as a catalyst for transformation.

“Football is more than a game in Owo. It is a movement — a unifier that breaks barriers, builds confidence, and shapes the future,” he concluded.

With respected voices like Oladimeji lending support and recognition, the Olowo Cup continues to gain national relevance and stands out as an inspiring example of how local initiatives can resonate with global impact.