22 teams spoil for war as Ibori soccer tourney debuts

Oghara Township Stadium, venue of the competition 

November 10, 2015

Twenty-two teams drawn from Delta State and neighbouring Edo are set to clash in the forthcoming maiden edition of the Chief James Onanefe Ibori Soccer Competition to be held at Oghara. 

Organiser of the tournament and Director of Cable Soccer Academy, Oghara, Coach Edwin Onovwotafe, said in a statement that the event would hold between Nov. 22 and Dec. 15 at the Oghara Township Stadium in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. 

Onovwotafe, a 2004 graduate of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, stated that the event is being packaged to honour former Governor James Ibori in recognition of his contribution to sports development in Delta.

''Ibori did a lot for sports especially football at the grassroots level during his tenure. The former governor is very passionate about football, which he sees as a viable tool for positive engagement of young people to divert their attention from social vices.

''During his eight-year tenure between 1999 and 2007, the state witnessed an unprecedented level of provision and development of its sports facilities by the government.

"The Ibori administration built stadia in the three senatorial districts of the state, including the one in Oghara that is hosting this competition.

"This tournament is our little way of appreciating him as well as giving youngsters a platform to showcase their raw soccer talents," Onovwotafe said.

Up for grabs, according to him, are cash prizes, medals and trophies for the best three teams.

He added that prizes would also be awarded in different individual and team performance categories such as the highest goal scorer, best goal keeper, among others.