The 2nd edition of the bi-annual Coal City Football Legends Under 18 Football Tournament will hold in January, 2024 for youth teams in the Coal City of Enugu.
A release from the Public Relations Officer of Coal City Football Legends Association, the sponsors of the tournament, Mr. Paul Nwachukwu, said that the week-long competition, which is aimed at empowering the youths will kick off on Monday, 8th January while the finals will hold on Friday, 12th January, 2024 at the Football Cathedral, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Ogui Road, Enugu.
The release quoted the President of the Association, Mr. Emma Okocha, as saying that one of the main objectives of the tournament, which is talent discovery, has started yielding fruits with some of the identified talents from the maiden edition, which was held in 2021 now playing for various teams in Enugu and beyond including Rangers of Enugu junior team.
The winners of the 8-team tournament will aside a trophy get a cash prize of N200,000 while the runners -up and 3rd placed team will get N150,000 and N100,000 respectively, while the 4 semi final teams will receive a set of jersey each. The winners of the maiden edition of the tournament, which has the Enugu State Football Association as Technical Partners for the competition, was Purple Krown FC. of Enugu.
In another development, the Coal City Football Legends will be hosting the first ever ‘Return of the Legends’ event in Enugu on the Friday, 12th January, 2024, at the Sunshine Hotels Enugu.
The event, which is planned as a reunion of all Enugu based retired players especially of the 80s and 90s sets, will feature a dinner and the launching of the association’s magazine, ‘The Legends’.
The dinner will be preceded by an Inter-Legends friendly match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The associations President, ex-international, Emma Okocha, told our reporter that arrangements are in top gear to host a memorable event that will have ex-players from within and outside the country in attendance.
According to him, notable personalities will also be guests of the association including the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr, Peter Mba, who will be the Chief Guest of Honour while the Chairman of the Occasion will be Senator Osita Ngwu representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone of Enugu State.
According to Mr. Okocha, “Since one of our cardinal objectives is the welfare of our members, all funds from the magazine launch will be directed towards helping our ex-players, who are finding life difficult after retirement”.
Coal City Football Legends Association is a registered body that unites all retired footballers that were born, raised or played football in the Coal City of Enugu and was official inaugurated in August, 2021. Since then, the body has assisted some of their members who had health challenges, sponsored a few to courses as well as supported other in their business endeavours.