As the second Edition of Felix Okugbe memorial under 17 Football tournament gets underway in August, former players of the famous Ugbowo Bombers Fc of Benin city have come together to celebrate and support the football tournament in memory of their former coach and Proprietor Late Felix Osagie Okugbe.
The ex players who are based in Europe, America, and Nigeria have decided to throw their weight behind the tourney by way of immortalising one of the best football coach, sports administrator, sports journalist to have come out of Edo state, just as the event will also help discover hidden talents in the state.
According to the organising body, the Federation of youth soccer clubs ( FEYSOC), this year event will be for under 17 teams in the state and some invited teams from across Nigeria, the decision to switch from the maiden under13 category to under17 was reached by the ex players of Ugbowo Bombers Fc and Feysoc, but with plans to have both category in the future.
Rollins Fc of Benin city were champions of the maiden edition in 2021, and have since begin preparation for this year event slated for the long holidays of August 16th -23rd 2022 in Benin city.
A member of the organising committee, Paul walter who also played under the late Okugbe said Feysoc is ready for the tournament and appreciate the support from the ex players of Ugbowo Bombers Fc,
‘ I want to appreciate ex players of Ugbowo Bombers Fc of Benin, home and abroad for their encouragement and support for the tournament, we are ready to begin, there are a lot of things to be concluded before kickoff, but we are hopeful of a successful tournament,
‘ we need more support from the ex players of Ugbowo Bombers Fc, friends of Okugbe to enable us have a smooth competition, Walter posited.
The organising committee however praise the efforts of some members of ex Ugbowo Bombers Fc for their support during the 2021 edition, while grateful to some friends of Okugbe which include Hon Frank ilaboya, Joshua Oni Obadan, Ejiro Omonode, Odion Oghagbon for their contributions
It would be recalled that late Felix Okugbe who passed on in 2015, led the then Famous Ugbowo Bombers Fc of Benin city, to lift the 1992 Gothia Cup in Sweden.
The Former Sports Editor of Edo Broadcasting Service(EBS) who contributed so much to grassroots football development in Edo and Delta states, was the first zonal coordinator of the Federation of Youth Soccer clubs( Feysoc) with headquarters in Benin city, were he organise so many youth soccer tournaments, such as Dr Osaigbovo Ogbemudia cup, Samuel Okwaraji cup, saviours cup.
