Grassroots Football: We have identified 2 players for international leagues—-Bet9ja Elephant Cup

AgegePulse Magazine

By KAZEEM AKANDE



The organisers of Bet9ja Elephant Cup, a grassroots football competition in Ogba Ashade, Agege, Lagos, say two players in the league have been identified for sponsorship in international leagues.

Mr Felix Ajanaku, the Chairman, Football Committee, made the disclosure in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Friday.

“We are proud of this tournament that has been in existence for the past 20 years at the Ashade Palace Ogba, Agege.

Also: Grassroots Football: Bet9ja Ogba Elephant Cup winners to get N500,000
“Through the league, we have been able to make many footballers from the yearly tournaments and all of them are doing well at their various clubs.

“This year, we have also identified two young talented players that will be playing in our grassroots league which starts on Sunday, Oct. 20,’’ he said.



According to him, the players will be introduced to the league sponsors, Bet9ja and Nigerbev for sponsorship of the players at the international level.

Ajanaku said that if possible, the organisers would make available scouts that could take them abroad for international league competitions.

“This is part of the plan this year, the newly discovered young talented players will be introduced to our sponsors and if possible make available scouts that can take them abroad for trials.

“This is part of our discussions and new development for 2019/2020 league to identify and expose them for international trials and by the grace of God, it will come to pass,’’ he added.

The chairman said that efforts have also been made to ensure that adequate security was provided at the pitch by law enforcement agencies during matches.

According to him, many security agencies have been consulted for adequate security like the police, army and the taskforce due to increase in the number of teams that will participate in the competition.

“On the security issue, to God be the glory, we are planning to have more securities officers this time around due to the increase in the money involved that will be awarded to the winners.

“N500,000 will be given to winner while both second and third place winners will get N250,000 and N100, 000 respectively.

“Also, we have additional teams joining the competition this season and tension will be higher than the previous tournaments.

“So, the security will be increased for orderliness and tranquility during the competitions.

“At the same time, all the teams have been advised to talk to their supporters to shun violence during the matches to avoid being sanctioned,’’ he added.

NAN reports that Ahead of the Bet9ja Elephant Cup, in Ogba Ashade, Agege, Lagos, the organisers have dangled N500, 000 for the winners at the end of the 2019/2020 season matches.

NAN also reports that 14 teams were on Sunday Oct. 13, drawn to groups to kick start the season’s matches at Ogba Ashade Place playing ground.

Group A has Great Achiever FC, Pokilee FC, Iyalode Mangoro FC, Sango Agege FC, and Oloke FC, while in Group B are Unique FC, Baddy Oosha FC, Keke United FC, Ghetto FC, Omo Better FC.

The third group has Gettinge FC, Scope FC, Adura Obi FC and Successful FC.

The Elephant Cup competition 2019/2020 season will kick off on Oct. 20, with 5-A-Side matches that will be watched by over 1,000 spectators at Ogba, Ashade Palace Agege.