Saturday, 25 January 2020

1st JOF U-13 kids Cup kicks off Saturday

By Akeem Lawal
A total of 32 teams from different parts of the state will participate in the maiden edition of the JOF Under-13 Kids Cup which kicks off on Saturday, January 25 at the Evans Playing Ground, Ebute Meta, Lagos.


The grassroot football developmental competition is sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited and organised by the Lagos State Grassroot Soccer Association (LSGSA).

According to the organizers, the competition which is on knockout format will see Double Star FC of Ijora slug it out with Okon FC in the opening match billed for Evans Playing Ground by 1 pm. The quarter final will hold on the 17th of February, while the semifinals have been fixed for February 20. The third place and final match has been scheduled to hold at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island on the 23rd of February by 1 and 3 pm respectively.

Speaking during the presentation of trophies held in Lagos on Thursday, General Manager-Strategic Support Services, JOF Nigeria Limited, Adeyinka Adetunji, revealed that the tournament carries a financial budget of N3.5million with a total cash prize of N500,000 which will be shared among the teams that will see the champion going home with N200,000, while the second, third and fourth placed team will be rewarded with the sum of N150,000, N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.

“As the sponsor, we are particularly excited with the organizers on the Under-13 edition as we believe this is the most important stage in life when the children can easily be encouraged and molded for greater achievements.

“At this young age of the players, outdoor sporting activities should always be considered as an important part of leadership development, and an opportunity to showcase and develop their sporting talents,” he said.

According to the organizers, the competition will invariably afford scouts the opportunity to hunt for young talents to replace the old legs in the amateur and professional clubs in order to uplift the standard of football in the country’s domestic league.

“We on our part will always strive hard to organize a standardized football competition to further boost the good name of the association.

“We hope and pray that JOF will not relent in their efforts at making this competition an annual event in order to yield the long-term dividends that necessitate the staging of this competition,” LSGSA said.


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