… 15 clubs parade talents, as Shola FC defeated Magnifico Sporty FC 4 – 0
Late Sports Journalist, Felix Okugbe resurrects in Benin as the 3rd edition of his Memorial Cup kicked off on Tuesday, with raw football talents on display at the Emotan College, Benin City.
The opening match of the under 15 male tournament lived up to its pre-match hype as Benin based Shola FC thrashed Magnifico FC 4-0, with display of good football artistry to the delight of fans and dignitaries who were at the Emotan College Grammar School.
With the 4-0 win, Shola FC, have however, sent a strong signal to other teams in this year’s edition that they are in the race for the coveted trophy.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the match, Chairman of the ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers, Mr. Uyi Opara, said that the annual football competition is being organised by FEYSOC and sponsored by ex- players of the famous Ugbowo Bombers Football Club in collaboration with friends of the late broadcast icon.
“This is the third time we are gathered in honour of the ace broadcaster (Felix Osagie Okugbe) because we have resolved not to allow his name forgotten,” Uyi Opara said.
He charged the youths to remain focused in order to maximise their potentials, noting that the yearly tournament is also aimed at discovering and developing talents from the grassroots.
“These young talents have the opportunity to make a career for themselves if they so desired. Everything is a choice, we have provided the platform and our intention is to support them and make them stay in the right path,” Opara added.
On his part, the ex-captain of Ugbowo Bombers, Prince Winner Bobby Okojie, said: “We decided to be honouring our late coach and broadcast icon, Dr. Felix Osagie Okugbe, every year with this football competition because of how he affected our lives positively.
“He touched our lives and many Nigerians in several positive ways, hence, we decide to be celebrating him every year with this football competition.
The late Okugbe, took his pet club, Ugbowo Bombers to Gutenberg in Sweden in 1992 where the team won the maiden edition of Gotta Cup.
He was the coach of the victorious Ugbowo Bombers Football Club of Benin that later produced great footballers for the country.
Some of the participating teams in this year’s Okugbe Memorial Football Competition are Shavic FC, Ugbowo Bombers FC, Rolly FC, Rollings FC, Ogbomo FC and MFM FC. Others include Uselu FC, Dynamic FC and Dynamo Sports Foundation.
