Edna Smith Football Tourney Will Be Better organised

Edna Smith Football Tournament kicked off last Friday in Sango Ota, Ogun State. The Chairman, Organising Committee of the tourney, Mrs. Olapeju Adeitan, spoke with P.M.Sports about the need to encourage grassroots football in Nigeria.

Why do you organise grassroots football tournament?
I am into grassroots football because of the passion I have for the round leather game. My father was a notable referee during his active days. I believe that the sport is one of the strongest ways to help the youth achieve their great purpose in life.

When I was  young I used to follow my father to the stadium to watch football matches. I also played during my school days and most of the time, they allowed me to be in the goal post. The passion I had for the round leather game in my tender age motivated me to help the youth to achieve their dream.

What are the unforgettable things you can still remember about your father as a referee?
I can still remember his very long socks and an unusually long whistle. As a child, I always played with the whistle. My father was a fan of IICC football club of Ibadan (now 3SC). He used to travel from Lagos to Ibadan to watch their matches.

Apart from organising a football tournament, what are you doing now?
I am a matron to Newstar Football Club of Nigeria and a facilitator to  a campus youth club. I am also an adviser to some other football clubs in Sango Otta.

I am into sports promotion, I am currently promoting Edna Smith Cup. Edna Smith was the missionary who lived  in Nigeria for over  40 years. She was passionate about Nigerians, our  culture, fashion and native foods and loved our youths. Smith had contributed immensely to our  religion and social development. So we decided to stage the competition  in her name every year to discover talents and promote soccer in Sango Ota.

Can you shed more light on this year’s Edna Smith football competition?
The tournament is a yearly event that involves teams from Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states. We   look  forward to making it a national affair.

Last year, we gave out various gifts, bibles and trophies and for this year’ s edition, we are planning to give the winners a set of jerseys and money. The second place team will go home with  training kits. Our association is affiliated to Ambassador in Sport.

The  International Sport Association, Nigeria chapter and the West Africa Christian Mission are  giving us the technical support. I am sure that the tournament will produce world best players in the nearest future.

How many teams are participating in this year’s tournament?
Sixteen teams have registered for the four-week- tourney and we have closed  registration last Friday.

The tournament will  end on 24 December with final match and a closing ceremony.

Do you have corporate sponsors?
We have technical support from Ambassador in Sport, through its Nigeria chapter.

We have the support  of West Africa Christian mission under the leadership of our Head Missionaries,  Mr. Walter Smith and Mr. Akapo.

Other sponsors are Bigger Engineering Services, Ibukun Olu Motors and Oasis Educational Services.

What is your advise to the participating teams?
When the tourney kicks off, they should play according to the rules and regulations of the game. I also implore the  Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to focus more on developmental programmes if Nigeria wants to rise again in international football.