Michael Imuodu Institute for Labour Studies (MNILS) football team on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, defeated Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) 2-1 to win the maiden edition of Research Institutes Football League, with the Director General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu saying it’s a vindication of his administration’s support for sports development at the Institute.
The final match was decided at the premises of National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM).
The round robin competition began in September, with Michael Imuodu Institute for Labour Studies (MNILS), Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) and National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) playing each other, and ending it with a final between MINILS and ARMTI.
Comrade Issa Aremu, who expressed delight with the introduction of the competition, as well as winning the maiden edition commended the standard of the competition, adding that the victory coincides with the 40th anniversary of MINILS.
The Unionist revived sports culture at the MINILS when he resumed as the Director General, as he renovated and equipped all the facilities, and equally encouraged sports participation through monthly keep fit for members of staff.
“Sports is essential towards keeping fit at all times, and to cement a strong relationship. Late Nelson Mandela described sports as games of lovers and friends”
He said that the move was to complement the circular by the Federal Head of Service that all the workforce must keep fit to ensure effectiveness at work place. He advocated for the addition of more sports events in subsequent editions, especially marathon, cycling and others.
The Executive Director of NCAM, Engr. Dr. AbdulGafar Rasheed Kamal, while commending the initiative said that exercise is crucial to healthy living, pointing out that the competition encourages unity and togetherness.
Engr. Kamal said that the introduction will encourage the usage of sports as a platform to drive a force that will culminate into other level of relationships among the institutes.
“The sustenance and introduction of more events will take the relationship that was carved through sports beyond just games, especially considering the mandates of the institutions concerned”, he concluded.
The Executive Director of ARMTI, Dr. Olufemi A. Oladuni, while also praising the introduction of the competition said that it’s not about winning, but about participation and encouragement of togetherness.
“It’s an initiative that needs to be sustained as a symbol of togetherness and wellbeing”, he added.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Olaife Taiye Paul had praised the Chief Executive Officers of the Institutes, for encouraging the introduction of the football league, even as he called for more collaboration and coordination.
He said that efforts are on to bring in more Institutes in the next edition, and to introduce more events, particularly events that will encourage the female folks to be part of the ritual.
The league was introduced to have synergy and collaboration among the Institutes, and football, as a major sport that bring people together is being used to champion the crusade”, he clarified.
