Patience Ogbo/
The 2nd Edition of Gregory Imafidon Foundation Football Tournament for under 15 boys kicked off Friday in Benin City, Edo State.
According to the organizers, the competition, which is meant to get vulnerable children off crime, is tagged “Catch Them Young, Kick against Crime”. It’s featuring five best teams representing Edo in the weeklong national event.
The five teams representing Edo State are the defending champion, Paragon Academy Football Club of Oredo LGA, Dynamo FC of Oredo, Unique FC of Eyaen, Uhumwonde LGA, Ine Stars FC, and Santos FC of Ogbeson, Ikpoba – Okha LGA.
The teams will play against two teams each from five South-South states of Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Delta.
Founder and Chairman of Gregory Imafidon Foundation, Mr Gregory Imafidon, a certified family nurse, based in Dallas, Texas, United States of America, described the competition as a clarion call for all to get the youth off crime.
He said, “A total of 16 teams from the six states will participate in this highly rated soccer tournament that has a Gold Cup for the winning state, as well as numerous gifts and monetary prizes for outstanding teams and players in the tournament. Prizes to be won include Jerseys for any of the four teams that make it up to the semi-finals. Medals are equally on the way for the Gold, Silver and Bronze winning teams. Cash prizes and gifts for the best player of the tournament, best-behaved team, best defender and best fair play defender, highest goal scorer, best goalkeeper, best midfielder and many more.”
Imafidon said all hands must be on deck to support youth soccer in the country.
He added, “I am using this opportunity to call on the state government, traditional institution, well-meaning Nigerians, and other youth sports lovers to support this tournament which aims at taking the youths off the street, engaging them meaningfully, to help reduce the rate of crime especially in Edo State. We are still accepting donations and pledges to ensure a successful tournament, make the visiting and participating states comfortable and help reduce the crime rate in Edo State”
Imafidon expressed the Foundation’s appreciation to friends and supporters of the competition.
He said, “On behalf of the vulnerable youths in Edo State, I say thank you to all who have seen the need to make Edo State a better and a crime free state by contributing towards the success of this move. Special thanks to Mr. Isaac Uzamere aka Otata 1, Denmark; Ms. Michelle Green, USA; Mr. Andrew Osaghae, Ireland; Mr. Dave Ogbomo, Belgium; Mr. Gaskin Irabor, Italy/Britain; Mr. Taiwo Omo-Iyamu, USA; Ms. Kathleen Imafidon Asemota, Nigeria; Mr. John Imafidon, Spain; Mr. Odion Oghagbon, New York, USA; Mr. Festus Ekhator, Germany; Mr. Nosa Odiase, Sweden; Mr. Michael Ekhator, USA, Rtd. SP Mr. Saturday Okao; Mr. Best Agbontaen, Boston, USA, and others who see the need to join this building train towards making Edo State a better place.”
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