Ekiti football is set to make history in youth football development in Nigeria, as all is set for the finals of the historic Dr. John Kayode Fayemi U15 football competition for boys and girls in the state.
The epochal youth football competition which is the first ever of its kind in the state, and organized by Ekiti State Football Association, started in October with 16 male and 8 female teams competing for honours in both categories at five different venues across the state.
And after gruelling, but exciting football matches in the groups and knockout stages of the competition that is enjoying the supports of Ekiti State government and its agencies, as well as, foremost financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc and Gossy Spring Water, all is set to determine the kings and queens of youth football in the state.
JKF Youth Cup, has been described as a benchmark for youth football development by discerning football *affiacinados* and enthusiasts. They were particularly impressed by the desires of the organizers to change the reward system in youth football, that is aimed at encouraging a savings culture amongst the impressionable lads.
All the footballers and team officials in the youth football competition have been receiving financial rewards, that is aggregated according to their progressions in the competition. And with the monies paid directly into their accounts with Zenith Bank Plc, who are one of the headline sponsors of the competition.
According to the EKSFA Chairman, Bayo Olanlege, the competition has lived up to the expectations of the organizers, particularly, as it concerns breeding a generation of educated, talented and morally upright footballers that would go on to do the state and the country proud, in a not too distant future.
” I must confess to you that we have been impressed by the level of tactical awareness and technical abilities displayed by our boys and girls, and particularly, their discipline and attitude, which I will say, is highly commendable.
” We also commend and thank His Excellency, Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, for his supports and encouragement so far, as well as, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Prof. Adio Afolayan, the Ekiti State chapter of ALGON, all House of Representative members from Ekiti State, the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Gossy Spring Waters, Zenith Bank Plc and most of all, the mother of Ekiti youths worldwide, Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi
” On behalf of the organizers, I say a big thank you to a great supporter of football in the state, Barrister Peter Owolabi, who has magnanimously donated all the medals and trophies for individual and team winners. Their immense supports have been instrumental in ensuring we have a smooth and successful competition, so far,” the hardworking football administrator remarked.
He continued by stating that the Organizing Committee of the competition led by Kolawole Owoseni, would leave no stones unturned to ensure that the competition achieve a resounding success. He added that the EKSFA board would meet with the State Governor to determine a suitable date for the final matches of the competition.
An updated report sheet by the technical committee of the competition revealed that in the boys category, 72 goals have been scored in 55 games, while the female category have produced 39 goals in 27 matches.
Meanwhile, the finalists in the female category are FC Phoenix and Fatoba Queens FC. In the male category, it is expected that Ado LG and Gbonyin LG would put fans on the edges of their seats, as they battle for honours on the day.