Participating teams from six geo-political zones will fight for the sum of N3.5 million as prize money in the ongoing Emeka Anyaoku Cup.
The tournament is being organised by the National Youth Soccer Association and named after former scribe of Commonwealth Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
The tournament kicked off in two geopolitical zones over the weekend, such as southwest and southeast, as some matches were played in these two centres.
Chairman Organising Committe, Okon Kalu explained that the tournament is taking place across six geo political zones of the country and the finalists on each zones would converge on Lagos for group final stage.
He revealed that matches did not take place in other geopolitical zones over the weekend due to the financial constraints beyond the organisers but assured that as soon as funds are available for logistics, matches would kick off in such zones.
“The name of the tournament is well known in the country, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku is a person that loves youths. We want all the zones to be involved in this tournament,t and the best two teams in each zone would come to Lagos forthe final group stage,” he said.
Kalu disclosed that a winner would go home with the sum of N1.5million and a trophy, while the first runner-up would receive N1million.
According to him, the third and fourth positions would go home with the sum of N750,000 and N500,00,0 respectively.
Kalu noted that the tournament was organised in honouring Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who had contributed immensely to the national and economic development of the country while serving as a secretary of Commonwealth Nations.
He, however implored the participants to shun violence and social vices that can affect the image of the tournament during and after the match.
During a courtesy visit, the cup donor, Chief Anyaok,u told the organising committee to kit the finalists in the final and wished all the teams best of luck.
Meanwhile, in the matches played over the weekend, Abu Babes from Oyo state defeated Ekimogun Boys from Ondo 2-0, while the southeast zone match was between the All Stars team from Owerri and Nnamdi Boys from Anambra State. Nnamdi Boys won the encounter 3-2.
