Sports
SEVEN communities will compete in the 2019 Awka South 2 State Constituency football championship, popularly called “Obizi Cup” in Anambra.
The competition which is expected to kick off on Dec. 15 will run till Jan. 2, 2020.
The participating communities in the Yuletide football fiesta are: Nibo, Isiagu, Ezinato, Mbaukwu, Amawbia, Nise and Umuawulu.
Speaking at the draws in Amawbia, Awka on Monday, Coach Ifeanacho Ogu, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said this year’s edition promised to be the best so far in the annals of the competition.
Ogu said the competition would lead to the formation of Obizi amateur football club to help talented players progress in their career by exposing them to interactions with professional sides.
He urged coaches of the communities not just to play for prizes, but feature skilled players within the age range that can attract the attention of scouts who would be invited to watch the games.
“It is not going to be the usual yearly ritual where we come, play and win prizes, we want to use this competition as a platform for talented youths in Obizi to take up career in football.
“We shall constitute Obizi 11 which, by God’s grace, we shall groom and organise friendlies with professional football clubs so that the good ones can have chances of taking their game to the next level.
“As usual, we shall invite scouts from some of the Nigerian Premier League Clubs to come and watch our boys play, so coaches are encouraged to look beyond winning and feature players with prospects,“ he said.
According to the draws, Nibo, Isiagu, and Ezinato will trade tackles in Group A, while Mbaukwu, Amawbia, Nise and Umuawulu will slug it out in Group B.
Two top teams from both groups will progress straight into the semi-finals fixed for Dec. 26, while the third place and grand finale will hold on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 respectively.
Collins Ozigbo, a member of Anambra Referees Association, said grassroots football was crucial for the sustenance of the manpower resources in the game of football.
He advised that the rules be adhered to at all levels, and assured that his members would be guided by FIFA rules and not sentiments or emotions during the competition.
NAN
– Oct. 28, 2019 @ 17:25 GMT |
Tags: Grassroots football: 7 communities jostle for Awka South 2 Cup in Anambra
