Igbajo United FC. Runners-Up Osun State Federation Cup 2023

Under the umbrella of Igbajo Development Association (IDA), we come from many backgrounds across the globe with one common root, we are all indigenes of Igbajoland, Osun State, Nigeria. Our passion for sports has made us create this Commission to help young people starting out in sports and help older people live a healthy lifestyle through increased physical activity.

  Kindly allow me to introduce myself. I have been involved in sports since the age of six as a participant, player, coach, volunteer, lecturer, mentor, founder and author. Through sport I have had the opportunity to travel around the world with good memories of sport lived experiences in three continents (Africa, Europe and North America).

For those that do not know me, my name is John Adewole Titilawo born in England early 60’s to Igbajo parents. What a joy growing up in Lagos and Ibadan respectively playing grass roots football, volleyball, table tennis and athletics (track and field) through my primary, secondary, college school days and amateur football with Ibadan Football Association. And I believe that majority of you reading this letter will concur with me about the ‘good old days’.

When I was approached in July this year by the Igbajo Development Association (IDA) President Mr. Sola Fanawopo to lead the newly inaugurated Igbajo Sports Commission (ISC), it took me less than a minute to say ‘YES’. I am truly honoured to be called upon to serve a community I love, cherish and a place I consider my retirement home.

Sport at Igbajo has gone beyond survival mode that is why ISC under the umbrella of IDA will leave no stone unturned to revive and revamp sporting activities not only in schools but in the community and surrounding villages at large. My team comprises of former and current Igbajo successful athletes, coaches, administrators and journalist that are determined to impact, change lives, build our community, strengthen Igbajoland, increase physical activities for both young and old, and break down barriers to brilliance. I want to assure you that ISC will keep working until the ‘playing field’ is level for everyone that has not had the opportunity to ‘handle a tennis racket’. We have put our strategic plan in place christened:

 Heading for Success: Our Strategy 2022-2026

  Motto: Grow our reach and impact of sport participation for all in Igbajoland

There are many playing fields and dilapidated infrastructures in Igbajo that needs urgent attention to enable us achieve our aims and objectives. In short term ISC is saddled with the responsibility of running a number of programmes throughout the year that provide participants the chance to take part in sports and physical activities. In the long term, ISC shall run and manage the Igbajo Community Sports Academy. Full details of ‘Our Strategy 2022-26’ can be found on our website www.igbajosportscommission.org.

On the 7th September 2021, I led a team to visit Igbajo and inspected all the sport facilities and equipments at schools, clubs and the health centre. What we found was shocking (forgive me). Kiriji Memorial College football pitch looks like a mini-forest; the lawn tennis court at the Health Centre constructed in the 1950’s needs total revamping while the popular Community High School field is now condemned to parties and events. Other facilities such as Igbajo Social Circle Club House lawn tennis court, Akande Dahunsi Hall, Baptist Day Primary School pitch and Shinning Model School field were also inspected. Our detailed report has now been submitted to IDA for consideration and deliberation.

On the same day, with optimism and pride ISC were able to launch its first sport activity to compete Mama Florence Fagbola Shield – an annual 5-a-side football tournament for girls at the four secondary schools at Igbajo in November 2021 moving a step closer to the resumption of community and school sports. 

I seize this opportunity on behalf of ISC to thank Mama Fagbola for donating the shield and medals for this annual competition. ISC is also grateful to Chief Olajide Oyewole and Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo for donating trophies for football competitions to be contested by secondary and primary schools respectively. Work has commenced on these projects. ISC also acknowledge the works of our forefathers, foremothers, past Oba’s, and Chiefs (past and present) that have brought us all where we stand today.

So this is our call – Sport needs you now. Obviously, we cannot achieve our aims and objectives without funds. And yes we shall be seeking your assistance and kind gesture in terms of donations, sponsorships, volunteering, adopting a sport and many more. Furthermore, there are many unused lands and properties in Igbajo and surroundings that can be utilised towards this cause. We acknowledge and thank everyone that has been adopting classrooms recently through the Igbajo Community Education Scheme organised by IDA. Over the next few weeks and months, ISC shall be contacting the good and generous people and organisations that are connected to Igbajoland at home and Diaspora to see how we can embrace this cause and work together.

In closing, many will agree with me that sport offers so many benefits including social connection and friendships. A sense of purpose, whether it’s overcoming own challenges or uniting with teammates for a common goal. The thrills of competition, win, lose or draw. The euphoria of kicking a goal and the resilience of learning from an error and getting better each time. In my sport career, I’ve been a player, a coach, a lecturer, a mentor, a proud parent and a fan. My goal is for parents to look at sport developments at Igbajo and see that they want their sons and daughters to play, because of the many benefits it brings. That is the focus of our strategy. And the conversation will not stop here as we strive to place Igbajo on the world map where we belong. Ewere lele. Oke le re

For those that were alive on 20 January 1961, the newly elected U.S. President John F. Kennedy on his inauguration uttered the challenge, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” I borrow the same challenge and say my fellow Igbajo fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, in-laws, friends and acquaintances: ask not what your community can do for you – ask what you can do for your community. Let’s ensure sport doesn’t just survive at Igbajo, but it thrives again.

God bless you and God Bless Igbajoland

John Adewole Titlawo | Chairman | Igbajo Sports Commission