The stage is set for the 3rd edition of the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge, a youth football tournament that will showcase the talents of aspiring young players from Delta State.
Scheduled to commence on December 20 at the Army Estate, Chevron Cooperative High-Breed Astro Turf Field, Off Effurun/Sapele Road, Warri, the tournament will feature 22 youth clubs competing for honours in two categories: Under-17 and Under-13. The finals are slated for December 24.
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The Under-17 category boasts 14 teams, including Success Pillars FC, Champions Cathedral FC, Sporting FC, Great Avengers FC, Morak Academy, and Golden Album.
Other contenders in this category include Great Avengers Utd, Bendel Town, Odibo Utd, Golden Friends, Shining Stars, Ichofe Wanderers FC, Ichofe Wanderers FA, and Lord Mark. With an impressive lineup, the competition promises fierce battles and a display of young footballing talent.
In the Under-13 category, eight teams will compete for glory. Teams like Great Avengers, Golden Friends, Morak Academy, and Successful Pillars will aim to make a mark.
The competition also features Orion FC, Great Star FC, Valencia FA, and Delta Warriors, showcasing the depth of youth football talent in the region.
The stakes are high, with attractive prizes awaiting the victors. The winner of the Under-17 category will receive a cash prize of N250,000, a giant gold trophy, and gold medals.
Runners-up and the third-place team will also be rewarded with cash prizes, trophies, and medals. Even the fourth-placed team will receive a cash consolation prize.
Individual awards, including Best Striker, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Defender, and Most Valuable Player, add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
Former African Footballer of the Year and Olympic Gold medallist, Victor Ikpeba, expressed his motivation to give back to the society that nurtured him.
He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for youth footballers, citing the lack of such opportunities during his early days.
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Ikpeba aims to use the tournament to engage young players, steer them away from negative influences, and instil a love for the game.
He noted: “I am working very hard to put smiles on the faces of the youths and engage youth footballers to appreciate the game and shape their lives away from crimes and other juvenile vices
Football enthusiasts and supporters are eager to witness the talent on display and the positive impact the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge will have on youth football development in Delta State.
The tournament not only promises thrilling matches but also serves as a platform for the region’s budding football stars to shine.
