UK University scholarship for NNPC/Shell Cup’s MVP

.As SPDC/ University of Sussex sign MoU

By Akeem Lawal

ONE of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom, University of Sussex will provide a full scholarship to the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament.

This was made known by the General Manager, External Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), Igo Weli during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Sussex, UK as education partners of 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup in Lagos on Tuesday.

“We have a new and equally exciting collaboration as we have on board one of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom, The University of Sussex in Brighton, as the Education sponsor to the NNPC/Shell Cup 2017 edition.

“This will provide education opportunities for the Most Valuable Player for the 2017 edition and strengthen the NNPC/Shell Cup experience for our students as the university will have sessions with the players during this week.

(L-R) Former Super Eagles striker and CEO, Worldwide Sports, Chief Olusegun Odegbami; Director of Recruitment and International Development, University of Sussex, UK, Professor Richard Follett; General Manager, External Relations, SPDC, Igo Weli; Head of Communications, Feyenoord Academy, Rotterdam, Gido Vader; General Secretary, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mrs Olabisi Joseph during signing of an MOU with University of Sussex as education partners of 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup.

“Sussex will support the prize for the MVP with full scholarship for one MVP, including tuition, flight and accommodation- to attend a 4-week session at the 2018 Sussex International Summer School, a gathering of brilliant young people from all over the world.

“Depending on timing, the MVP may also participate in youth and footballing activities organized by newly-promoted English Premier League team, Brighton and Hove FC.

This is added innovation brought by the sponsor, aside the collaboration with world-famous Feyenoord Academy of Rotterdam, Netherlands, where two Most Valuable Players will embark on a trip to the Netherlands for coaching opportunity with the Youth Academy of the current Dutch Football League Champions, Feyenoord Rotterdam FC.

Also, a team of coaches and officials of Feyenoord Rotterdam Football Club of Holland, including Former Nigerian international, Mike Obiku and Feyenoord’s International Relations Manager, Gido Vader are already in the country to hold coaching sessions with coaches from the Nigerian Institute of Sports and the game masters and coaches of the state champions of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Hensen Demonstration School, Benin, Edo State; Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Imo State; Sambo Secondary School, Gusau, Zamfara State and Government Secondary School, Lamisula, Maiduguri, Borno State are already through to the semi-finals of the competition.

The semi-finals will be played on Sunday, July 2, 2017 and the finals on Tuesday, 4th July 2017 all at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

A total of N8.2 million will be awarded towards the development of sports facilities in the top four schools with the 1st placed winner getting N3.5m; 2nd place winner, N2.3m; 3rd place winner, N1.3m and the 4th place winner warded N1.1m.