A total number of 1,240 footballers and 62 teams are set to participate in the Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Tournament scheduled to begin on Sunday, the Osun Football Association said on Friday.
Amoo Abayomi, the Osun FA Secretary, told newsmen in Osogbo that screening of players and draws have been done for the tournament which kicks off at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
“At the end of all this, 36 clubs registered for the under-18 category of the tournament and their matches will be played in a knockout format.
“Sixteen teams equally obtained forms for the under-15 age group of the tournament and they have been grouped into four, while 10 teams also registered for the under-13 category,’’ he said.
Abayomi stated further that the 62 teams are from the grassroots and the football tournament is being sponsored by Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Secretary-General of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“It is being organised by the Osun Football Association to boost the discovery of exceptional talents at the grassroots, to enable us catch them young in a bid to provide a well-defined future for the players,’’ he said.
The Football Association (FA) Secretary said the tournament’s finals are billed for Aug. 21 to celebrate the birth date of Ogunjobi who is also the Chairman of Osun FA.
Abayomi disclosed that the tournament’s under-18 matches would be played at the main bowl of the Osogbo Township Stadium.
“Unity School Testing Ground will play host to the under-13 matches, while the under-15 matches will be played at Ido Osun High School.’’
He added that winners of each category of the age-group tournament would receive a trophy each, as well as cash prizes
