Twenty-four football clubs converge on Abeokuta for youth championship
Twenty-four football Clubs alongside 432 players will converge on Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital for youth soccer tournament scheduled to hold between March 6 and April 19, 2020, which serves as the second edition of the championship.
Penpushing reports that this was made known during the draw of the tournament held at Alake Sports Centre, located in Ijeja area of Abeokuta, and the tournament will include participation of all the twenty local government areas of the State.
The championship tagged ‘Egba Youth Football Championship’ is aimed to discover football talents in Egbaland, to further pave way for the players successful carrier in the round leather profession, and take eyes of the youths from social vices.
Penpushing reports that the Convener of the tournaments,Olalekan Soyinka explained further that the Egba Youth Football Championship (EYFC) is a football competition held among community football clubs in the twenty (20) Local Council Developments Areas that made of Egbaland, Ogun State.
The initiator said it all started in 2019 by Breezing River Entertainment, with the vision of creating an amateur football championship for youths in the grassroots and curbing series of anti-social activities,adding that the competition is a platform for creating opportunities for youths to experience competitive relationships and learn how to form close, durable human relationships with peers in order to support and reinforce healthy behaviours, thereby curbing menace in the society.
‘With the supports of the Ogun State Sports Council, Sweet 107.1 FM, Abeokuta and efforts of some well-meaning individuals, the first edition was hosted within the communities in the city of Abeokuta under the name Abeokuta Youth Football Championship (AYFC Cup), for eight weeks, from 27th June – 28th July, 2019, with Twenty-Three (23) youth teams from Nineteen (19) communities, parading Three Hundred and Sixty Eights (368) boys as participants’.
The convener recalled that, the maiden edition was a success and many people called for the inclusion of other communities in Egbaland to the competition.,stating that after careful consideration,’ we changed our brand name from the Abeokuta Youth Football Championship (AYFC) to the Egba Youth Football Championship (EYFC) and redesigned our logo to reflect the new identity, showing the symbol of our future’.
Penpushing further reports that, Soyinka popularly called ‘Ayinla Egba’ said,the change in name is inevitable in order to capture the six local government areas in Ogun Central Senatorial District, and to be specific, it is the same competition but for the good reasons
‘The 2020 edition of the competition will see 432 boys representing 24 community football teams grouped into six, with 52 matches to be played at the Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero, Abeokuta while the grand finale will be held at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, from 6th March to 19th April, 2020’
The initiator said, Egba Youth Footbal Championship(EYFC) has a clear vision of inspiring and empowering talented grassroot footballers by giving them a platform to showcase their talent, thereby, curbing series of anti-social activities.
‘We believe in laying the right principles with effective strategies built on EYFC core values to achieve this aim. Most of the dignitaries who have joined and being invited to join are people who are respected in the society as Peace Builders and Leaders whose impact on the generations existing and lead roles in the society have been well enshrined in specific areas of positive influence’.
Penpushing also reports that, at the draw, the rules and regulations were read out which stated; the competition is opened to football teams within and around six Local Government Areas in Egbaland and such team must represent a community within the metropolis.
* Any team that wins the trophy must return it in exchange for money, which should not be later than 4 weeks after the presentation. The organiser will make sure that there is fair officiating throughout the competition. Meanwhile, Match Officials’ decision is final and no correspondent will be entertained.
* The aim of this competition is to promote unity, so hooliganism is strictly prohibited. Any team that fights or causes trouble in any form will be automatically disqualified without compensation. Any team that used unregistered player will be disqualified automatically.
* Team must arrive at least an hour before the commencement of the match. Teams are solely responsible for providing their players’ kits, first aid and refreshments. Each team should make sure that they have the health record of their players and make sure they are fit to compete in a competition like this.
* All the matches will take place at the Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero, Abeokuta.The teams are expected to be at the match venue not later than 30 minutes before the kick-off of their match for proper accreditation.
* A team that fails to show up 30 minutes before their game will pay lateness fee of Two Thousand Naira (N2,000) only. The fine must be paid before they play such a match. A team that does not show up before their opponent enters the filed shall be forfeit the match.
* Any team that fields a non accredited player in a match shall forfeit such match. A player can only participate and play for one team. If a player is found playing on two or more teams during the group stages, all games are subjected to forfeit.
* If your team forfeit a match during this competition, the following rules apply: First Offense: Game recorded as loss and warning issued. Second Offense: Game recorded as loss and the organisers reserves the right to remove team with no refund for games not played.
* Any player who receives a red card will receive an automatic one game suspension for the team’s next scheduled game. Multiple game suspension for fighting, severe fouls, or extreme unsportsmanlike behavour are up to the discretion of the organisers.
* Fighting is not allowed and will NOT be tolerated. All parties involved in fighting will be sent off (red carded) from the game and subject to ejection from competition at the organisers’ discretion. We are using football to promote peace and unity, so please keep safety and sportspianship in mind out there!
* Breezing River Entertainment reserves the right to use and publish the names and photographs of participants for the purpose of publicity, advertising and/or trade without prior consent, notice or compensation.
* By completing and submitting this form, I attest that all the above information are correct; that I have read the rules and regulations of the Egba Youth Championship; and that I have agreed and abide by the same.
