Abesan Dareta Cup Begins

All is now set for the maiden Abesan Dareta U-17 Football Fiesta, which kicks off on Saturday in Lagos.

The competition, bankrolled by a philanthropist, Chief Dare Faneye, is aimed at tackling the age cheat syndrome, which has bedeviled Nigerian Football for years.

Coordinator of the Abesan Football Development, Tayo Adeyemo said that a total of 16 grassroots clubs have registered for the tourney, which will be played at the Keda football field and Abesan Estate playground,Ipaja, Lagos.

Adeyemo disclosed that the competition is for players who are below 17 years and warned club owners not to field overaged players during the competition.

“We have invited grassroots football experts to assist in conducting the screening for the players. All the 16 teams will line up while the panel will fish out those may be overaged players before the tournament starts,” he said.

Sponsor of the competition, Chief Dare Faneye, who is the Chairman of Dareta Restaurant & Bar, appealed to professional clubs in the country to take advantage of the competition, by sending scouts to discover players during the tournament.