By
Joseph Isokpehi
As the maiden Edition of Bright Osayi Samuel under 13 Football tournament in Edo state came to a close on Thursday September 5th 2024, the memories will linger for a long time to come.
Edo Dynamo sports Fc of Benin City, became the first team to win the prestigious Bright Osayi Samuel under 13 Football tournament, following a 1-0 win over hard fighting Rising stars Fc of Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state, with the only goal of the match scored by Wisdom Eguamwense of Edo Dynamo sports which saw him emerged the top scorer of the tournament with six goals.
Earlier, Rockers fc defeated Ugbowo Bombers fc 3-0 to finish as third place winner of the tournament in honour of Fenerbache and super Eagles star Bright Osayi Samuel who hails from Edo state.
The football carnival organise by the Edo state Football Association, saw Edo state chapter of the sports writers Association play against Edo state chapter of the Nigeria Football coaches Association in a curtain raiser match which ended 1-0 in favour of the Felix Evhodi led coaches Association in Edo state
The closing event which held at the famous crescent Sports club ground at iriri, in Benin City, withnesed a large turnout of football enthusiasts, stakeholders of the game in the state, the elder Brother of Bright Osayi Samuel, Osaro and the father of the Nigerian international Mr Nelson Osayi who was present to give out the giant trophy, various prizes and other souvenirs to the winners.
Some individual awards include Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, won by Destiny Enomena of Rockers Fc, savour Martins of Edo Young stars Academy got the best Defender award, while the youngest Player of the tournament went to master Efe omotobo of spunky Blazers Fc, Austin Ogieriakhi of Edo Dynamo sports was voted the best coach of the tournament just as the MVP of the tournament went to Blessed Ohieari of Edo Dynamo sports.
The youngest match official of the tournament miss Venessa Ekhator Aisosa was also rewarded by the organisers, along with the best media man of the tournament Stanley Uwagboe
Fourth place Ugbowo Bombers Fc went home with Two hundred and fifty thousand naira, while third place winner Rockers Fc of ogida, Egor Local Government Area of Edo state got Five hundred thousand naira and runner up Rising stars Fc, Auchi got seven hundred and fifty thousand naira for their efforts.
The champions of the tournament, Edo Dynamo sports were rewarded with one million naira, courtesy of tournament sponsor Bright Osayi Samuel. Participating teams also got bags and note books from the tournament sponsor.
An elated and proud father of Bright Osayi Samuel commended the organisers of the tournament Edo state Football Association and the teams for a successful event, he promised to take words back to his son in Turkey.
“Let me thank Edo FA for a job well done, this is commendable, I am impressed with what I saw here today, congratulations to all the teams, we are grateful, I will inform my son when I get back to Turkey, the next event will be bigger than this, Nelson Osayi stated.
On his part, the Edo FA chairman thanked Mr Nelson Osayi and his son for giving Edo youth the opportunity to show case their God given talents, adding that the Edo FA dream is to take football to the zenith in the state and return Edo state to the number one position in football in the country. he called on sports loving Edo sons and daughters all over the world to emulate Bright Osayi Samuel, promising a much bigger and better event in 2025, he also used the opportunity to salute the organising committee of the tournament, Edo FA board members for a successful event.
Over 40 grassroot teams from across the three senatorial districts of Edo state took part in the tournament that lasted for one month.
Some dignitaries present at the event, were Edo FA chairman Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, Ex internationals, Peter Neketien, Austin Popo, immediate past Edo FA chairman Dr Aghedo Moses, the chairman Local organising committee Mikhail igbinovia, Vice chairman Edo FA Paul Ojeisekhoba, FA scribe Bisi Otupate, chairman organising committee of the Stephen Keshi national under 17 football tournament Kelvin Etemike, Edo FA board members and staffs, Loc members, Local FA chairmen from across the state among others.
