Ekiti Obas Cup Quarter Finalists Emerge As Scholarship, Gifts Await Outstanding Youngsters.
Four matches were decided on Thursday at the EKSU football field as the preliminary matches of the Ekiti Obas Cup Season 2 were concluded.
In the first match of the day, Alaworoko FC edged out Onifisin FC by 2 goals to nil while Ologotun FC recorded a 2-1 victory over Apeju FC.
The third match of the day saw Elekole FC pip Oniye FC by 2 goals to 1 just as Onijan FC had an easy ride over Arajaka FC.
After two round of matches each Ewi FC, Alaworoko FC, Ologotun FC, Apeju FC, Elekole FC, Oniye FC, Alara FC and Onijan FC all booked places in the quarter finals.
The quarter final matches will be decided on Saturday at the same venue while the semi final will be decided on Sunday.
The third place and final matches will take place on Tuesday July 25.
In the meantime, some of the royal fathers named Pillars of Support for Ekiti Obas Cup have signified interest to offer scholarship to some players with outstanding football potentials and academic prowess.
The chairman Ekiti Obas Council, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye and Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba Sunday Awe who are among the seven selected sports loving royal fathers said the gesture is to encourage the youth to accord same level of priority to their education as they do for Sports.
Similarly, the grand prize for the eventual champions of the tournament will get a cash reward courtesy Oba Rufus Adejugbe while the runners up will be rewarded by the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti and Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Olu Adeyemi is expected to reward the third place team.
The governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is expected to lead dignitaries to the grand finale of the youth soccer competition as the trophy for the eventual champions has been named after the Number One citizen of Ekiti State while the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award was named after the wife of the governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji.
Also expected are the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye, chairman Ekiti State House of Assembly committee on Sports, Mr Idowu Odebunmi, Ekiti State Football Association Chairman, chief Olu Oloworemo, former Ekiti born athlete cum politician, Mrs Jumoke Olaniyan and Ekiti born rising National Team player and former captain of Ekiti United FC, Babatunde Bello.
The grand finale of Ekiti Obas Cup Season 2 billed for Tuesday July 25 is part of activities to commemorate the successful completion of the two year tenure of Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti as chairman Ekiti State Council of Obas.
