The organisers of the annual Felix Okugbe Memorial Football Tournament have revealed October 10 as the kick off date for the 4th edition of the boys youth soccer tournament.

The upcoming competition marks the 8th year remembrance of the former Chairman of Edo State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

This year’s event, the 4th in the series to be competed for by Under 16 boys youth teams in Edo State, is in honour and memory of the former Sports Editor, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), Felix Osagie Okugbe who died in Lagos on October 10, 2015.

Organised by the Nigeria Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC), the tournament is sponsored by Friends of Felix Okugbe, and Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC of Benin City, a pet club of the former CEO of Mundial Sports International (MSI) who ruled the world in 1992 when they won the Gothia Cup tournament in Sweden.

The tournament will kick off October 10, with a Novelty Football match between Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC/Friends of Okugbe and Edo SWAN at Emotan College Sports ground.

Edo State FEYSOC Coordinator, Joseph Isokpehi said after the curtain raiser game to flagg off the tourney on October 10, the tournament will then begin proper with the screening of the participating youth teams and kick off fixed for 12th and 13th of October 2024.

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Isokpehi commended the Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC and friends of the late sports icon in diaspora and in Nigeria for their commitment and support for the tournament since it stated, adding that their wonderful sponsorship has kept the tournament going.

He disclosed that the necessary tools needed to have a successful tournament have been put in place to meet up with the October date for the tournament. He asked the Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC and friends of Okugbe to keep the support coming as nothing will be too small to help fund the competition in honour of their former boss.

“Let me thank the Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers and Friends of the late Felix Okugbe for keeping this tournament going. They contribute their hard earnings every year to have the competition. This is commendable. I am grateful to them. All arrangements have been put in place for this year’s tournament; registration for participation is ongoing, and we can’t wait for the kick off, Isokpehi stated.

The organising Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) and the LOC also thanked the Edo FA Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse for his contributions towards this year’s event.

Edo State SWAN who held Ex-players of Bendel Insurance FC comprising Baldwin Bazuaye, Peter Obanor, Kenneth Aigbe, Charles Ihimikpen (Chico) Roland Ewere and others to a goalless draw during the Esama Veterans Cup tournament this year will resume training next weekend ahead of the curtain raiser match against Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC and Friends of Okugbe. Recall it ended 1-1 when both teams met last year during the closing ceremony of the 3rd Edition of Felix Okugbe Memorial Football Tournament.

Rolly Football Club, the defending champion of the tournament following their triumph in 2023 are set to safeguard their title next month.