It has been confirmed that the main bowl of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly known as Liberty Stadium) will host the 2021/2022 Ibadan Football Association (IFA) League which kicks off later this month.
20 football clubs from across Oyo State would compete in the prestigious competition which remains the oldest and most functional Local Football Association League in West Africa as 3SC is the defending champion after winning the competition in 2019/2020 season with a cash prize of 200,000 naira and a trophy.
The first and second place winners, VIA Academy and Saki United also clutched 150,000 and 100,000 naira at the end of the competition of which four teams were relegated.
Barr. Rotimi Alli, the soccer body’s chairman according to the spoke person of IFA, Folorunso Oyelakin’, explained that the stadium found favor with the Association because of its proximity and safety measures.
He stated in clear terms that his Association would be making use of the facility for its 190-match League pending the time its Stadium which was undergoing renovation would be suitable for soccer activities.
Alli, who briefed the Association’s media team, hinted that the 84 year-old competition which did not hold last year because of the pandemic has come back with a bang.
He stressed that the Association had concluded all plans to make this year’s League better than the 2019 edition.
Responding to a question on what would happen if the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium management had another event that superseded IFA League, the IFA boss known as “Libero” affirmed that the IFA had envisaged and taken care of the situation. He added that clubs would be informed of any change in venue before match day.
The ensuing rigour-filled Super-8 play-off competition which determined four teams that would join the standing 16 took place inside the main bowl of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (Liberty Stadium) early in the year.
Meanwhile, the body has also formed five Committees to ensure a successful Competition, according to information released by the Association,.
“Barr. Alli, Chairman of the Association stated that the Committees would be in charge of the smooth-running of the 190-match League as he listed the Committees to include the League Organizing Committee; Referees’ Appointment Committee; Appeal Committee; Disciplinary Committee and Media and Publicity Committee.”
