Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 Unity Football Cup Competition Gets Tougher - Two more matches played at Sapele, Orerokpe
The second and third matches of Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 unity football competition powered by Arthur Fedinand Limited were played at the weekend, with Sapele and Uvwie LGAs locking horns at the Sapele Township Stadium on Saturday, while Okpe and Udu LGAs slogged it out on Sunday at Baptist High School football pitch, Orerokpe.
The Sapele and Uvwie young footballers, the referees and coaches defied the heavy rain and started the match the first half of which ended goalless. Two minutes into the 2nd half, Bright Chinonso scored the first goal for Sapele LGA team.
Godswill Menete of Uvwie levelled up with a beautiful header converting a corner kick into a goal at the 67th minute. All attempts by both sides to score and take the lead were fruitless as none of them was ready to concede a goal, so the match ended one-one at regulation time.
The 3rd match at Orerokpe was in the first half goalless but produced two goals in the second half scored by Daniel Ochuko and Samuel Blessing for Udu LGA team. All efforts by Okpe LGA team to score proved abortive as the match ended two goals to nothing in favour of Udu LGA.
Members of the LOC, medical and security teams were fully on ground in line with FIFA best practices. However, spectators were few as residents did not turn out to watch the match despite the heavy media publicity of the tournament.
In an interview, the Chairman of the LOC, Ex-international Edema Fuludu (MON) said organizing an U-17 unity football cup competition has short and long term benefits as young football talents are identified to create pathways for their professional football careers.
He said it enhances team work, discipline, physical fitness, and leadership among the youths, and also pools youths from different LGAs, religious and ethnic backgrounds, thereby promoting peace and mutual respect for one another.
According to Fuludu, "football tournaments help to engage youths in gainful activities, thereby reducing the rate of crime and social vices. This tournament will help to stimulate local businesses as vendors, transporters, hoteliers, and food sellers make brisk sales."
Organizing a football event such as this will create temporary jobs in logistics, security, media, coaching, and more. The event has highlighted the need to improve stadiums, football pitches, and training facilities in parts of Delta State.
The LOC Chairman added that the U-17 football event would enhance the image of Delta State at the national level as a promoter of youth development through sports.
This tournament also has the potential to attract corporate sponsors, NGOs, and private investors in sports. Young talents could get access to training in football academies and also receive scholarship opportunities.
The involvement of talent scouts, sports writers and coaches, will also help to give exposure to players, and referees. It will lead to the growth of grassroots football, encouraging more schools, clubs, and communities to invest in football tournaments for youths.
An U-17 football cup competition is more than just a sporting event. It is a strategic investment in youths, economy, and social fabrics of Delta State. With proper planning and support, football events can become a recurring platform to shape the future of football development in Delta State.
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