The pace is getting faster and the pitch is higher, as all is set for the kick off of the maiden edition of the Dr. John Kayode Fayemi U15 boys and girls football competition, billed to start Friday, 22 November across five match venues in Ekiti State.
The well attended event held at Academic Centre of the Ministry of Justice, Ado-Ekiti, had distinguished individuals including Hon. Michael Awopetu, Commissioner of Sports and Youth Development, Yemi Owoseni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Deji Samo, General Manager, Ekiti Sports Council, and several football stakeholders in attendance.
During the press conference that preceded the seminar for coaches and team coordinators, Hon. Awopetu reiterated the determination of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration to ensure the youths of the state are encouraged and empowered to achieve their potentials.
“The government of Kayode Fayemi is officially behind this competition and the organizers because it is in tandem with its cardinal objectives of the Ekiti State.
“On behalf of the state government, I want to assure you that this competition would not be a one- off event, as sports ministry, would continue its collaboration with Ekiti FA, to develop football in the state,” Awopetu reaffirmed.
Reacting to probes from journalists, Ekiti FA boss, Bayo Olanlege, explained that the competition is a win- win situation for all participants, as the financial incentives, is encompassing and innovative.
“We’re poised to make history with this competition. We want to actually change the narratives as it concerns the reward system for youth competitions in Nigeria. And we’re proud to have the backings of the state government and the relevant agencies, alongside Zenith Bank Plc and Gossy Warm Springs Limited who are some of our partners,” the highly resourceful football administrator quipped.
Draws for the epochal JKF Youth Cup 2019 had the boys category with 16 teams representing different local government areas pooled into four groups and the eight female teams grouped into two groups.
Omuo Ekiti is the venue to host group A matches involving, Emure local government, Gbonyin local government, Ikole local government and Ise- Orun local government; Group B games involving Efon local government, Ekiti South West local government, Ekiti West local government and Ikere local government, has Ijero Ekiti as venue.
Ijero local government, Ilejemeje local government, Moba local government and Oye local government will battle for top spots in group C at Ayetoro Ekiti; while group D matches involving Ado local government, Ekiti- East local government, Ido- Osi local government and Irepodun- Ifelodun local government will be played at Odo- Oro Ekiti.
The 8 female teams to battle for honours were equally divided into two groups, with Agbana Wonderful Queens, Salem City Queens, Ekiti State University Lionesses and FC Phoenix Queens, doing battle in group A; and group B will see Fawekun Queens, Promise Queens, Dynamic Queens and Fatoba Queens gunning for top spots.
While matches in the boys category will hold in four centres, all games in the female category, shall be played at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium, Ado-Ekiti.