Esama Of Benin @90 Veterans Football Tournament Begins Today
By
Joseph Isokpehi
The much awaited Esama cup among Veterans Teams in Edo state, begins today at the Chief Lucky Nosakhare igbinedion mini Sports Centre in Etete-GRA Benin City,.
Organise by the Edo state Football Association, in honour of the Lion of Okada, his Excellency sir, Chief Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CON CFR, who turn 90 years September 11th 2024., Eight veterans teams in Edo state will compete for honour.
According to the fixtures released during the week matches will begin Friday morning from 10am after a short opening ceremony that will see the participating teams take part in a ceremonial match past.
Igbinedion United will take on Crescent sports club by 10am,with the second match of day between Uphill veterans and Edo All stars by 12noon, by 1.30pm UBTH staff team will lock horns with Uzebu All stars while the last match of the day will see Uwa All stars do battle against Panthers FC by 3pm.
The group matches will continue on Saturday from 9am and will be rounded up on Monday August 26th at same venue, with the semi finals fixed for August 28th, while the third place match holds on Thursday August 29th 2024.
The tournament sponsored by the two term former Executive Governor of Edo state, His Excellency Chief Lucky Nosakhare igbinedion to celebrate his lovely father @90 will climax on Friday 30th of August 2024.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Edo state Football Association, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse has stated that all logistics has been put in place for a successful event to celebrate the Esama of the universe with the tournament, he urged all participating teams to play by the rules during the event, he thanked them for the support shown so far towards Edo FA and promise to keep the relationship going.
” At last we are here for the big one, I want to congratulate our Father, sir chief Dr Osawaru Igbinedion CON CFR, for this opportunity given to us to be part of his 90th Birthday celebration, we are grateful to the Esama of the universe, many thanks to our sports loving former Governor of Edo state chief Lucky Nosakhare igbinedion who is behind the tournament for the house of igbinedion.’
” I want thank the participating teams for honouring our invitation to participate in the tournament, my appeal to them is to play by the rules, on our part as the organisers we promise to deliver a good tournament, as all logistics has been put in place. I want to thank the veterans teams in the state to keep the support coming for Edo FA as demonstrated since we came on board last year, Newton stated.
Expected at the opening ceremony, is the chief celebrant , His Excellency Sir, Chief Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CON, CFR, His Excellency Chief Lucky Nosakhare igbinedion, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, Majority leader Edo state house of Assembly, Hon Natasha Osawaru and members of the house of igbinedion among others
