Group organises sports contest, free healthcare for Ekiti indigent kids

Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Mercy International Mission, has organised sports competition for over 124 indigent kids from five rural towns in Ekiti State to develop their skills in sports and particularly soccer.

The group also gave free healthcare and several soccer materials for the kids.

The humanitarian gesture started with trainings for the participants which lasted for months before a two-day soccer contests among the indigent kids which held at the Osi Community School premises in Osi-Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The group’s Administrative Head, Mr. Olaposi Olayinka, who spoke about the event said, “Mercy International Mission is an NGO based in the US and Nigeria, provides basic healthcare to people and environs, organises soccer tournaments for Ido, Iropora, we also provide free medical care for kids.

“We also provide soccer ball, free jersey, this is the sixth edition, the brains behind the programme are the President of the foundation, Mr. Sunday Olayinka and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Olayinka, who is Vice President.

“The couple, who are also the sponsors are both from Osi-Ekiti and based in US.

“The purpose for having the soccer, is to show that we care for the kids and bring them together.

“We also give scholarship to bright students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

“We used to organise inter school contests, but now because of the rigorous way of getting schools to participate in the contest. We went beyond inter school competition into contest among 12-year old  kids in rural communities in the state.

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“We got coaches who recruited players from rural towns in Ido, Igbole, Osi and Iropora who are 12years old. We are promoting sports development among these indigent kids.

“We want to advise our government that the kids are tomorrow’s glory and government should develop their talents and sponsor them. We spent millions to sponsor the programme

“By the special grace of God we will go a step further to sponsor the best players by taking them to football Academy to develop their skills. The participants are 124 rural kids.

“There are medals for the best First, Second and Third positions but whether they win or lose, we have  lofty gifts for all of them.

“We have soccer balls, bag packs, Jersey and socks for each of them. We will give original soccer boots to the best players and we will train them.

“By next year we will spread the tents of competition to other rural communities such as Epe, Araromi and others.

“I urge the kids to be more focused in their training and shun being over confident in their dealings so they won’t lose focus”.