The organisers of the annual Felix Okugbe Memorial Football Tournament have revealed October 10 as the kick off date for the 5th edition of the prestigious youth soccer tournament.
This edition of the competition marks the 10th year remembrance of the former Chairman of the Edo State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The 5th 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, 2025 with a Novelty Football match between Ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers FC/Friends of Okugbe and Coaches of the Participating teams at Adolor College Sports ground, Ugbowo by 3pm
Edo State FEYSOC Coordinator, Joseph Isokpehi said after the curtain raiser( memorial match) game to flagg off the tourney on Friday, the tournament will then begin proper with the screening of the participating youth teams on the 18th of October 2025
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 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 fc 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; and we are set for the kick off, Isokpehi stated.
The organising Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) and the LOC also appreciates the Edo FA Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse for his contributions towards this year’s event.
Defending champions of the tournament Rolly Fc , Benin city who also won the 2023 edition of the tournament will compete with 30 other youth teams in the state for the title this year.