By Daily Sports on June 21, 2018
The 3rd edition of the Gen. David Akpode Ejoor football tournament for grassroots clubs and academies across the country is scheduled to kick off in Ughelli, Delta State from August 20, 2018.
The competition which is in honor of one of Nigeria's foremost military leaders retired General David Ejoor is one of the biggest competitions in the country in terms of the wide participation of teams from all over the country and prizes involved for participating
It is one of the few competitions that bring grassroots teams from all corners of the country (from the north to the south) together to compete with each other.
The tournament is being organised by Grace Sports Organisation, a very reputable football organising company, with Benjamin Odudu as chairman.
Odudu was in Benin City recently to send invitation forms to a select group of four grassroots clubs from the city.
The invited teams from Edo State are 2016 Edo State League champions Benin warriors FC, 2015 Federation Cup quarter finalists BJ Foundation, Edo FA Cup semi-finalists Royal Force FC and Clibbers FC.
Explaining the rationale for inviting the aforementioned clubs, Odudu said the organisers were impressed by the pedigree of the clubs in the areas of achievement and their tradition of developing young players in their folds.
Odudu particularly praised Benin Warriors FC for their performance in the last edition of the David Ejoor Cup which held in 2015. "I was impressed by the youthfulness of the Benin Warriors team who were one of the youngest in the competition. They showed no fright, playing good football and upset some teams to reach the semi-finals."
Odudu followed the progress of Benin Warriors after the competition and was at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City the following year to watch the club make waved in the Edo state League in their debut season of participating in the competition as they went all the way to win the competition.
"I was not surprised they won the state league in a very strong football state as Edo. I saw enough in Ughelli the previous year to suggest they would be a side to be reckoned with," Odudu said.
There is a cash prize of 500, 000 naira for winners of the tournament, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams will smile home with 200, 000naira, 100,000 naira and 50,000 naira respectively.
Registration fee for the competition is 25,000 naira with accommodation facilities available at the Government College, Ughelli for participating teams.
The teams that qualify for the second round are entitled to playing bibs while quarter finalists automatically qualify to get a set of jerseys.
The opening ceremony takes place at the Ughelli Township stadium while the final match comes up at the ultra-modern Warri City Stadium.
Amar FC of Ogun State won the last edition of the David Ejoor Cup in 2015 after beating Warri based Godstime FC 5-4 on penalty shootout in a pulsating final game after regulation time had ended 1-1.
Source Daily Sports
Posted June 21, 2018
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