The top three winners at the first edition of the Governor Mimiko International Under-18 Soccer Championship in the words of the Local Organising Committee headed by Mr Gboyega Okegbenro will share $15,000.
The LOC Vice-Chairman, Mr Akin Akinbobola, stated yesterday in Akure that the competition would kick off from June 5 and end on June 16 in Akure, Ondo State.
According to him, the winner would go home with $7,000, the runners-up, $5,000 and the third place winners, $3,000 and a trophy each.
He said that although over 40 clubs worldwide showed interest in the international competition, only 16, including four foreign clubs, met the requirements stipulated by the LOC.
The foreign teams, he said include Kharahman Sports Club of Turkey, Young Stars International Academy of Togo, Prestige Height International of Ghana and Yirima Academy of Cote d’Ivoire.
The local teams also include four in the state, namely: the state-owned ODSFA Academy, Beach Settlers Academy, Igbokoda, Tiwa Academy, Akoko and Young Stars FC, Akure.
The others, he said are, Yobo Academy, Lagos, Magate Academy, Ibadan, Great Scholars Academy, Ogun, Fountain Youth Sports Club of Ekiti State, El-Qanat FC of Akwa-Ibom, River Lane Youth Club of Niger State, Vocam Revival Academy, Benue State and Kwankwasiya FC of Kano State.
Akinbobola, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Sports, added that, all necessary facilities are in place to host a successful international competition.
His words: “As I am talking to you now, the Turkish side have gotten visas for their players, while others have paid their registration fees which has given us assurance that they will be in Ondo State for the tournament,“ he said
He added that, the LOC had also put training pitches in place to ensure that teams observed their training formalities before and after matches.
