As the kickoff for the second edition of Ekiti State Obas Cup Draws near, some of the royal fathers nominated as Pillars of Support for the under 18 Youth Soccer Championship have hailed the organizers saying it’s a good way to positively explore the potentials of the young ones in spite of various issues that Nigerian Youths contend with daily.
While recieving the gold plated trophy and MVP Award donated by an Ekiti born Sports Merchant, Johnny Sports in their palaces, the royal fathers expressed readiness to fully support the competition.
At the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe noted that it’s laudable that the Obas Cup which used to be held in the old Ondo State has now been replicated in Ekiti State.
Oba Adejugbe urged the organizers to hold firmly to the quest to discover budding talents being one of the purposes the competition was conceived and organized.
At the Palace of Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye also being one of the Pillars of Support urged the organizers not to take side rather ensure fair play and utmost integrity to encourage more royal fathers, corporate bodies and stakeholders to key into the competition in future.
Oluyin who also received the gold plated trophy and MVP award in his palace said the power of sports at uniting the youth and the society at large could not be over emphasized.
He promised to personally support the competition financially and attract support from other prominent sons , daughters and friends of Iyin Ekiti in a bid to make the Ekiti Obas Cup bigger than that of the maiden edition in 2022.
Meanwhile, other royal fathers chosen as Pillars of Support for Ekiti Obas Cup including the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti and Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti are also going to be visited with the trophy for royal blessing and words from the royal stool.
While registration is still going on, the competition which enjoys the backing of the Chief Olu Oloworemo led Ekiti State Football Association is billed to kickoff on Saturday July 15 and end on Tuesday July 25.
16 teams participated in the maiden edition while Owatapa FC emerged champions.
Some of the teams to watch out for in this year’s tournament include Onifisin FC, Alaworoko FC, Ewi FC, Apeju FC, Onijan FC, Olufaki FC,Arajaka FC, Oniye FC, Elekole FC and Alara of Aramoko FC.
More teams are expected to join before registration closes on Wednesday July 12.
