By Gbenga Sodeinde
Heritagewng reports that Leaders of Ekiti State Referees Council have solicited partnership with the Ekiti State Sports Council management.
The Referees during their courtesy visit solicited support through the provision of a vehicle for Referees’ programs outside the state as well as employment of certified Referees in the Sports Council.
Chairman of the Referees Council, chief A.Y.O Ariyo who expressed appreciation for the audience granted his members said the Referees were looking forward to meeting with the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
The Chairman Ekiti State Sports Council, Hon.Mrs Olusola Osetoba was thereafter decorated as a matron of the Referees Council in acknowledgment of her motherly support towards the Referees.
The Sports Council chairman who was elated at the gesture of the Referees Council said it was a call to serve more diligently.
She promised to use her good office as Sports Council boss to entrench unity among all Sports stakeholders in the state including the FA, Coaches Association, Referees Council, SWAN, and others.
She also urged the Referees executive to always give the Sports Council enough notice anytime a vehicle is needed for an official assignment stressing that government property are to benefit every stakeholder.
Mrs Osetoba also promised to discuss with the management of the Sports Council on how to put the dressing room at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado in good shape as requested by the Referees while she also gave assurance that all the requests tabled before her by the Referees Council executive would be looked into .
She also vowed to cooperate with the Referees in the fight against pseudo Referees who often handle some football matches without approval from appropriate quarters adding that leaders of the Referees Council should also do the needful to check the excesses of some Referees who allegedly indulge in unprofessional conducts before and during football competitions in the state.
The Sports Council chairman said the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has created an enabling environment for the sports Council to thrive in its programs and activities.
A Board of the Ekiti state Sports Council who is also a leader in the state Referees Council, Mr Tanwa Oyebode eulogized the Sports Council chairman for not always acting ignorantly and for always consulting professionals whenever the need arises in the Sports Circle.
He said things will be better henceforth with the synergy between the Sports Council and the Referees Council in Ekiti state.
Secretary of the Referees Council, Kehinde Adetule who gave the vote f thanks at the occasion said the Referees were prepared to accord the sports Council 100% cooperation with a view to repositioning Sports in Ekiti state.
