The Origin Story of MMLS

MMLS Story

The Mountain Top University Mini League soccer known as the MMLS came to light in the year 2021/2022 session as a result of true passion and hunger for change, founded by Adekunle Oluwatimilehin Franklyn (SRC Sport's director, 21/22, 22/23) and Dada Oluwatimilehin (SRC Assistant Sport's director, 21/22, 22/23) along with SRC Sport's directorate team 21/22: Oyindamola Olawuyi (SRC female Sports Director), Awofuwa Mayokun (SRC female asst Sports Director) with fatherly support from the University Sport's director Dr. Olurin Enitan and Prof. Moses Abiala (fmr DSA), not withholding credits to the unrelenting Sports committee board members, two names who were pillars to the foundation of this league namely Adedamola Samuel A.k.a "Sharpy" and Ojikutu Raqak. These are instrumental men to the build up of this league.

It was never an easy task as there's always a story behind the glory but we give God the glory for His hand and power in this league indeed made it possible.

The inspiration is to bring out the best in the players, bring about peace and unity, to bring about love and cooperation as well as give spark to the campus creating a platform to showcase talents, to give opportunity to everyone who can play the game. MMLS also came to change the narrative of how sports should be ran, with purpose, passion, unity, love, cooperation and sportsmanship.

In the first season we started with 5 clubs: Olurin United, Ayolabi Boys, Olukoya Stars, Young Stars, and Abiala Giants—all named after prominent men that matter to MTU. Due to the strenuous system we could only introduce a few to strike a balance between sports, spiritual and education, which makes a total man. The first season also served as a test run, and Olurin United emerged as winners in a dramatic style, having the highest points.

Then emerging to the second season the MMLS got bigger, more attractive, more exciting and better—a lot was achieved. Managers and directors conference was held, the teams increased by 3: Ojo Eagles, Adeshina FC, and Gbenro Ballers. Now it became a league and knockout phase system just like the UEFA Champions League in Europe: 2 groups A and B, 4 teams each; then the first 2 from each proceed to semifinals, then final.

With the great support of Amao Mofe, Oladele Excel (Female sports Director & assistant), the birth of the league for season 2 was successful, also with wonderful sports committee members, league board committee, league officials, players, managers, the media (mass comm, the distinguished press, press committee), SRC president Kosi and all members, SRC president Victoria, SRC vice president Obaze Philip, Apeji Andrew, Prof. Abiala Moses, Dr. Olurin Enitan, Pastor Olumide Adeshina, Dr. Ademola Young, Dr. Ojo Olanipekun, the Vice Chancellor, MTU students for cooperation and so many other names not mentioned. One way or other contributed to the laying of the foundation of the league.

The MMLS will continue to improve and get better in time; the vision is to become a top platform for MTU and sports in Nigeria, Africa, and to the world by the special grace of the Almighty God.

As the league never fails to serve its purposes, it has been responsible for the revival of the MTU football club, discovering and recruiting talents to represent the school. Ever since it started recruiting players for the school team, the narrative has turned around—it's been recorded MTU kept a long winning streak against other universities, winning over 7 games straight. The effect lives on till date; it brings togetherness, it helps a player understand what it means to be involved in a football league, strengthens fitness, it has brought joy to the whole campus and indeed a constant topic to talk about. The MMLS indeed has come to stay and will keep expanding and improving.

On the day April 20, 2022 by 2:15 pm on a Friday, the MMLS hosted its first opening ceremony officially at the MTU sports arena with the acknowledgement of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ayolabi Elijah, the Dean of Student's Affairs Prof. M.A. Abiala, the University Chaplain Pastor Olumide Adeshina, the University Assistant Chaplain Dr. Ademola Young, and the University Sport's director Dr. Enitan Olurin.

Credits:
STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL 2021/22, 2022/23.
SRC SPORTS DIRECTORATE 2021/22, 2022/23.