The JK Yusuf Foundation has thrown its weight behind the 5th edition of the Joseph Aranloye Fakayode (JAFAK) Memorial RingoNG Cup, describing the grassroots football competition as a commendable initiative capable of positively impacting young people and the wider community.
Speaking on the sidelines of the draw ceremony for the competition, Mr. Muyiwa Yusuf, a member of the JK Yusuf Foundation and brother of the Proprietor of Abraysports, Mallam Abdullahi Adekunle Yusuf, said football has always been an important part of the Yusuf family.
According to him, sports, particularly football, naturally attracts young people as they grow up, stressing that the passion for the game is deeply rooted in his family.
“Every young man while growing up loves sports, especially football. Football has been part of our family. Even the only female in our family loves football,” he said.
Yusuf explained that the JK Yusuf Foundation operates across several areas, with community development, sports and education forming important components of its activities.
He disclosed that the foundation adopts specific community-oriented projects from year to year, identifying areas where it can make meaningful interventions.
“Every year, we pick a project and handle it. It could be the provision of boreholes and other community projects. We have also supported sporting initiatives, including a secondary school competition some time ago,” he explained.
Speaking on the idea of immortalising the late JK Yusuf through a football competition, Yusuf described it as a worthy concept that deserves encouragement and sustainability.
He added that the Yusuf family could also consider further activities in honour of their late father, including a novelty football match.
“For the competition to immortalise our father, it is a good idea. Maybe we could have a one-day novelty match. The family will decide on that,” he stated.
Yusuf also explained that his support for the 5th JAFAK RingoNG Cup was driven by the desire to contribute to society and support initiatives that provide positive opportunities for young people.
“My support for the 5th JAFAK RingoNG Cup competition is about giving back to society. It is a nice concept,” he said.
He noted that grassroots sporting competitions such as the JAFAK Cup provide youths with opportunities to remain active, develop their talents and interact positively with their peers.
Yusuf used the occasion to deliver a strong message to young people, urging them to remain focused and keep themselves meaningfully engaged.
He advised youths to avoid drugs and other activities that could jeopardise their future, stressing the importance of discipline, purposeful engagement and determination.
“My message to the youths is that they should keep themselves meaningfully busy. They should stay away from drugs, remain focused and engage themselves in productive activities,” he said.
He added that sports could serve as one of the positive avenues through which young people can channel their energy, build discipline and pursue opportunities.
His comments further underscored the growing importance of partnerships between community-minded organisations, families and grassroots sporting initiatives in using football as a vehicle for youth development.
