The recognition was presented during a courtesy visit led by the Chairman of the DFA, Chief Godwin Adode, who commended Chief Amurun for his unwavering commitment to grassroots football development and youth engagement across the state.
Chief Adode emphasized that sports remain a vital tool for discipline, unity, and social transformation, noting that Chief Amurun’s consistent support has helped nurture young talents and strengthen football at the grassroots level. He described the award as a token of appreciation and called on other well-meaning individuals and organizations to emulate such impactful contributions.
In his response, Chief Amurun expressed deep appreciation to the DFA for the honour, reaffirming his readiness to continue supporting sports development whenever called upon. He passionately advocated for a deliberate return to grassroots football development, stressing that rebuilding Delta football requires intentional planning and sustained youth engagement.
Reflecting on past football legends such as Oruma, Sodje, and others who once made the state proud, he lamented the current decline in producing top talents, noting that structured tournaments and grassroots scouting remain the key to revival.
Chief Amurun highlighted the impact of locally organized competitions, revealing that a recent tournament engaged over 600 individuals weekly, including players, coaches, referees, medical personnel, and service providers. According to him, such initiatives not only promote sports but also help remove youths from the streets and give them purpose.
He further disclosed plans to expand his future tournaments to include Delta South, projecting participation between 1,000 and 1,500 youths. He urged stakeholders to prioritize long-term social impact over immediate financial gains, emphasizing the importance of engaging young people productively.
Speaking of leadership, Chief Amurun described the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, as “a listening governor who believes in great ideas and supports initiatives that will better the lives of the people.” He therefore advised the DFA to approach the governor with a well-structured plan for grassroots football development, expressing confidence that such an initiative would receive the needed backing.
He warned that failure to engage youths could lead to greater societal challenges, stressing that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” He called on sports authorities to deliberately create programmes across various age categories to secure the future of football in the state.
Chief Amurun concluded by thanking the DFA once again for the recognition, assuring them of his continuous support and reaffirming that his doors remain open for future collaborations aimed at empowering youths and restoring Delta State’s football glory.
