GRASOF/NDDC U17 TOURNEY LIGHTS UP ASABA…..
……NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS MINISTER, NDDC ACTING MD, TO PERFORM OPENING CEREMONY
Barely forty eight hours after the curtains were closed on the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, another much anticipated tournament, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC U17 Peace Cup Football competition, organised by the Grassroot Sports Federation of Nigeria, is set to get underway in same state.
The Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, which hosted both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sports Festival, will also host the opening ceremony of the annual competition on Monday, 12th December.
A statement by the Tournament Coordinator, Comrade John Ekpenyong on Sunday stated that eighteen teams, two from from each of the Niger Delta States – Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, will converge in Asaba from the 11th of December to compete for the coveted trophy
The competition which is now in it’s second edition, is strictly for players within the U17 category, and is aimed at spotting young talented players seeking to have a career in football.
Expected to grace the opening ceremony are the Niger Delta Affairs Minister Hon. UMANA O. Umana, the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Engr Emmanuel Ohwavborua, top officials of the NDDC, Ex-Internationals – Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Christian Ogbodo, Etim Esin, Bazuaye Baldwin, among other major stakeholders.
According to the coordinator of the tournament, Comrade John Ekpenyong, “All is set for the competition to get underway.” “We are ready to kickstart the second edition of the NDDC U17 Peace Cup in Asaba. The eighteen participating teams are expected today, and once they arrive, we will have the screening of players.”
“As you know we don’t tolerate age cheat, that’s why we take our screening seriously. Last year some teams played with seven players, others eight or nine. So I expect teams to comply with the rules, so that the aim of the competition will be achieved.”
“So like I said we are ready, the opening ceremony will be on Monday at the famous Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, and we are expecting top officials of both the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, some Ex-Internationals, as well as major football stakeholders from the state to grace the opening ceremony.”
“We want to use this opportunity to invite the public to come out en masse for the opening ceremony, and ensure the best of Grassroot football.”
Kifa Football Club of Akwa Ibom emerged winners of the maiden edition after beating Delta United by one goal to nil at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium, last year, while Sam Decent Academy of Imo defeated Delta Force on penalties to win the third place spot.
The tournament will be played across four centresat the Austin Okocha stadium, Ogwashi Uku, while the quarter finals, semi finals and finals, will be hosted at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Signed:
Media and Publicity Committee
