22nd December, 2011
The much-awaited U-20 Kessington Adebutu soccer championship will kick off on 27 December at Oshodi Sports Centre.
The cup donor, Chief Kessington Adebutu, known as Baba Ijebu, told journalists in Lagos that sponsoring the football tournament is borne out of his passion for the round leather game.
He explained that sponsoring a grassroots football will help the youth to showcase their talents and urged the participating teams to play the game according to the rules and regulations governing the game.
“The solution to Nigerian football is to go back to grassroots football and discover fresh players for the national teams.
“Our football today is at a low ebb because we have forgotten to concentrate on football development. So I am happy that fresh players will be discovered at Adebutu Cup,†he said.
Secretary of southwest Youth Soccer Organisation, Ganiu Aliu, said 16 teams are expected to take part in the championship.
He said they have put necessary things in place to organise a hitch-free tourney.
He urged the participating teams to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition.