Sports
FORTY-nine clubs have registered to take part in the 2022 edition of the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) tournament in Enugu.
Twelve of the clubs are fielding Under-13 players; 17 of them are fielding Under-16 players, while 20 of the clubs are fielding Under-18 players.
The tournament kicks off on Wednesday at Ngwo Park field, Enugu.
Addressing the teams at the screening on Tuesday, the state’s coordinator of FEYSOC, Uche Lofty, warned coaches against leaving their under-age wards to go about begging.
“Be coordinated and ensure your players behave well because we will not take it lightly with any team whose players go about begging for alms as has been experienced in the past.
“If any of your players is caught begging, consider your team’s participation is over; the organisers will not hesitate to send your team packing.
“We have constructed toilets for players’ use at the camp in Afia Nine, Obiagu axis of the state to ensure that your wards do not engage in open defecation,’’ he charged.
Uche also promised free and fair tournament for all the teams coming from different parts of the Southeast and South-South geopolitical zones.
In his remarks, Secretary, Enugu State Football Association (ENSFA), Sunday Francis, advised the organisers to always abide by rules and regulations.
He advised them to ensure the availability of medical teams at the tournament and ensure that the kid players do not go about begging for alms.
“Protection of the players is paramount because they are still under- age and we do not want to get complaints,’’ he said.
Responding to the admonitions, Coach Samuel Onyedika of Sam Decent Football Academy, Imo, cautioned against biased officiating at the tournament.
He noted that biased officiating nearly ruined the last edition of the tournament in Enugu State.
Onyedika urged the ENSFA to provide qualified referees to help to get the best out of the players and out of the tournament. (NAN)
C.E
Tags: Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) Sam Decent Football Academy
