By Jethro Ibileke
The maiden edition of Bright Osayi-Samuel male U-13 Football competition is set to kick off in Benin City, Edo State on 1 August.
The tournament is sponsored by Fenebache and Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel and family, in conjunction with the Edo Football Association (EFA).
The Chairman of the EFA Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr Paul Ojoesekhoba, who conducted the draw of the tournament at the Media Centre of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium over the weekend, disclosed that a total of 39 U-13 teams will vie for honours in the tournament.
The teams are made up of 29 from Edo south and five each from Edo central and Edo north respectively.
Ojoesekhoba who appealed to the coaches and club administrators to avoid falsifying their players, disclosed that eligible players are children born from January 1, 2012.
He, therefore, admonished coaches and club managers to ensure they abide by the rules and regulations of the competition, stressing that Edo FA has put mechanisms in place to computerise the bio-data of players as a way of eliminating age falsification.
Rules guiding the competition shows that each team is allowed to register a maximum of 20 players at the start, and no player can play for two different teams in the tournament.
In the event of a draw in any of the knockout matches, penalty kicks would be used to determine the winner and there shall be no extra time, except determined otherwise by the LOC.
A standard time of 40 minutes per half and 15 minutes for half time rest are allotted. A red card issued would attract a fine of ₦1,000
Winners of the competition will go home with ₦1 million, the first and second runners up will receive ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 respectively, while the fourth place will go home with ₦250,000.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Edo FA, Fred Newton Erhunmeunsee, has vowed that his board will prioritise grassroots football and explore every opportunity to use same for the benefits of Edo children in their pursuit of professional football career.
He called on all well-meaning Edo sons and daughters both home and in diaspora to emulate the sponsor of the U-13 football competition for Edo children
Erhunmwunsee expressed confidence that with adequate sponsorship and support, Edo is capable producing football stars like Bright Samuel Osayi, Victor Osimhen, Austin Okocha and Lionel Messi, noting that the raw talents abound in the state.
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