… Youth League to produce next-generation stars – Inyama
The Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, while assuring a memorable event, has confirmed the readiness of the Edo State Government to host the maiden Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League finals in Benin, beginning from February 24.
The Edo Sports Commission in a release signed by the Media Officer, Kehinde Osagiede said the nation’s youth league finals will be held in Benin City, the Edo State capital in confirmation of the announcement earlier made by the Chairman of the NPFL Youth League Committee, Pastor Emeka Inyama, on Tuesday.
Alli said: ” Benin has been announced as the host City for the finals of the inaugural edition of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League. And we are pleased to say that our sports-loving Governor, His Excellency Mr. Godwin Obaseki has graciously given us the approval to go ahead and once again play host to the entire nation. We are grateful to the Governor for his magnanimity and untiring efforts towards sports development in Edo State and Nigeria. ”
“We are hosting the Youth League finals and preparation begins immediately. ” Alli stated, assuring the NPFL and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) of a memorable event in Benin City.
The Chairman of the NPFL Youth League Committee, Pastor Emeka Inyama, on Tuesday, announced that the championship finals will take place in Benin.
Pastor Inyama also announced that the finals will be held from Saturday, February 24th to Saturday, March 2nd at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Teams that progressed from the zonal qualifiers are Rangers International from the South East, Rivers United from South-South; Remo Stars from the South West; Katsina United from North East/West, and Plateau United from North Central.
“We expect the teams to arrive in Benin on the 24th, and the first rounds of matches will begin on February 25th,” Pastor Inyama stated.
The zonal qualifiers were held in five centres across the nation from February 1st to 3rd from where the five teams emerged for the championship finals.
Meanwhile, the Daily Post reports that the Nigeria Premier Football League has described the Youth League as thrilling and ultimately rewarding. The chairman of the youth league, Pastor Emeka Inyama made this known in a chat with the NPFL media.
Inyama stated that the successes recorded in the regional playoffs were a testimony that the League’s management is on the right track.
He pointed out that the goal from the beginning was direct and intentional, and execution so far has been laudable.
“The NPFL Youth League has been created to create synergy between grassroots football and professional football, to create between youth football and those who will grow into those in the main NPFL,” Inyama stressed.
“He (Gbenga Elegbeleye) told me he wants this programme to live and surpass his administration as this is not to claim the tag of hosting the maiden edition as the aim is to grow Nigerian football.
“It is going to be exciting as we will see the best of youth football that has never been seen, the best of youth football in the country, bringing together stars of tomorrow as well as bringing football scouts who will work with the technical committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to continue where they stopped in the zonal playoffs to identify outstanding players in the competition.”
The playoffs final will be hosted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City with Remo Stars, Rangers, Rivers United, Plateau United and Katsina United participating in the inaugural edition.
