Vice Chairman of Southwest Football Forum, Otunba Dele Ajayi has said the forum was apolitical and would help keep youths off the streets.
Ajayi, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Akure, said it was the plan of the football associations to embark on grassroots developmental programmes.
The Ondo State FA chairman noted that it was part of plans of the state associations to help government generate employment through football.
“The south west football forum is apolitical and all the six chairmen of football associations in the zone agreed to embark on grassroots developmental programs in the region to develop hidden talents and enhance our youths.
“We want to assist our state governments to bring the boys out of the streets and generate employment so as to reduce the rate of crimes in the southwest.
“So if some groups of people think that it is politically motivated then they have right to their own opinions but we shall remain focused and no propaganda can derail us
“This program is the legacy we believe we can create for ourselves and the incoming generation,” he said.
Ajayi later said the FA chairmen in the region were totally in support of 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwumi as the leader of the zone.
Reports say the southwest football tourney is tagged Odua Football Leagues.
The Odua Football Leagues would have U-15, U-17 and U-20 categories at the youth level, with the U-23 sector being the Premier League to which the youth teams will aspire.
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