… returns EDSOPADEC to battle Ministry of Health on Tuesday
Following the complaints concerning the fielding of ineligible players lodged by EDSOPADEC against Ministry of Agriculture, the disciplinary committee of the ongoing Edo State Head of Service Football Tournament has disqualified, pushed out College of Agriculture from the tournament, and returned their opponents EDSOPADEC into the competition.
EDSOPADEC is now the team to lock horns with the Ministry of Health on Tuesday (today) to fight for a place in the second round of the tournament in the stead of sacked College of Agriculture. Kick-off time is 3:00 pm at the Western Boys College mini stadium.
College of Agriculture in the opening match of the competition whitewashed team EDSOPADEC 6-0 at the Western Boys College but the losers in that game EDSOPADEC afterward complained, alleging that team College of Agriculture was full of ineligible players most of whom were suspected to come from outside the state public, civil service.
The disciplinary committee met on Monday, deliberated on the matter, and found College of Agriculture guilty of fielding ineligible players and applied the the tournament’s guiding rules.
According to the statement released by the Disciplinary Committee, “Based on Article 4b and 4c of the Rules and Regulation of the Head of Service Football Tournament, College of Agriculture is found guilty of fielding players that were not Civil/Public Servants and therefore not eligible to participate in the tournament.
“Accordingly, College of Agriculture is hereby disqualified from the tournament. The match has been awarded to EDSOPADEC.
“From the foregoing, EDSOPADEC is to play the Ministry of Health on Tuesday at 3 pm at Western Boys secondary school.”
Meanwhile, the HOS Cup Disciplinary Committee has requested that all the participating teams should resubmit their list of players including their biometric slip and oracle number for another round of verification to fish out all ineligible players in the competition.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Shared Services and Secretary of the committee, Oghosa Ogbeiwi
“Following today’s meeting with the Heads of teams, we’ve concluded that eligibility confirmation for players is imperative. Submissions must be made today for teams playing tomorrow, including the Ministry of Health, and the two teams that have already played (i.e. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources & EDSOGPADEC).
“Other teams have until the end of working hours tomorrow to meet the deadline for submission. Your prompt attention to this matter is highly appreciated,” the statement reads.
The Edo state Head of Service, Barr. Anthony Okungbowa initiated the football tournament to promote social interactions and physical health among public servants across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.
