Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Former Super Eagles Captain and Chief Coach, Christian Chukwu, is to head a football talent hunt competition tagged National Unity Cup Football Competition sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The football competition, which is targetted at youths and non-league players, will be competed for by all the six geo-political zone in the country.
Inaugurating the committee at the headquarters of the ruling party in Abuja yesterday, APC National Youth Leader, Dasuki Ibrahim Jalo, said that the competition, scheduled to begin next month is part of the promise to implement strategic programmes that would endear the party to Nigerian youths.
He said competition is being organised in conjunction with zonal and states youth leaders as approved by the party.
Said Jalo: “The competition would be between states of the federation and be played at the six geo-political zones with two teams emerging from each zone for the next stage. The final game is scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He disclosed that the kick-off date for the competition, its format, as well as the prize money for the winning teams would be resolved by the Chukwu Committee.
“I would seize this singular opportunity to call on the leaders of our party especially the state chairmen and their governors to support this initiative for the benefit of the party and our teaming youths in various states and LGAs especially the sports lovers,” he appealed.
Chukwu who was represented by a former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, James Peters, commended APC for the initiative, assuring stakeholders that the competition will produce abundant talents to feed the national teams.
“All Sports and Games Consult (AGC) has asked me to warmly welcome you to the epoch-making event comprising the inauguration of the National Organising Committee, unveiling of the Chairman’s Trophy and presentation of branded football for the APC National Unity Cup Tournament.
“Today’s event marks the high point of several months of hard work and consultations to ensure the plan to stage the first edition of the APC National Unity Cup Football Championship is successful.
“The APC National Unity Cup project is on a rescue mission, to help untapped talents. It is an intervention programme aimed to restore youths’ confidence in government, national unity and assurances of means of decent livelihood.
“This is an open competition for non-league players. Players in the professional NPFL and NNFL are exempted from this competition. It is a nationwide tournament attracting winning prizes, consolation prizes and career progression packages for exceptionally talented players to be discovered,†Chukwu concluded.
