By Joseph isokpehi
All is now set for the start of the 2025 Edo FA Cup competition proudly sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concern Ltd, following the conclusion of a colourful draw ceremony which held at the media centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City on Wednesday.
The well attended event had in attendance, representatives of the 32 registered teams, the sponsors, Edo FA partners, top members of the Edo state sports Commission, executive members and staff of Edo FA, stakeholders, the press and others.
In his welcome address, the chairman Edo FA, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, thanked everyone present expecially the sponsors and partners of the FA cup contest 2025 for their support.
” I want to thank everyone here this afternoon, it is a great joy for us to come together as a family, without you people no Edo FA, a big thank you to this year Edo FA cup sponsor, Peculiar ultimate concern Ltd, for finding us Worthy to associate with as sponsors of this year FA cup in Edo state, this is massive for the game in Edo, ‘ Fred stated.
The hard working FA boss also took time out to thank the Permanent secretary of the state sports Commission, Madam Efe Amenze who was present at the occasion alongside the Executive director of the Edo state sports commission in-charge of sports development and operations, Mrs Sabina Chikere, Former Bendel insurance fc coach and FA cup winner Alabi Aisien, the immediate past Edo FA boss Dr Agedo Moses, ex Nigeria international Emmanuel obasuyi, Bendel insurance fc coordinator Hon Osaro Felix, the Private secretary to the chairman Edo state sports commission Tony Uwhens, ex Bendel United player Miri ola and former Calabar Rovers stopper Isaac uzamere, representatives of Polaris Bank for their presence, support and encouragement,
Before the draws proper, the representative of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Ltd who is the head of administration in Edo state, Olakunle Bello told the large gathering that they are ready to give their full support to Edo FA cup competition this year, he assured the audience of the company support to uplift the game of football in the state.
The tournament sponsor will give out the sum of three million , seven hundred of fifty thousand naira to the top three teams of the men and women category of the 2025 Edo FA Cup, with a breakdown of N1.000.000, to the winner in the men category, second place will get N750.000.00, and third place winner take home N500.000.00, the overall Champion in the womens category gets N750.000.00, the runner up will be rewarded with N500.000.00 and the third place winner N250.000.00. the Peculiar ultimate concern Ltd sponsorship also extend to Branded jerseys for the semifinalists in both category and Branded T shirts for the coaches.
Meanwhile, Freedom Beverages Limited, producer of the Olivia water the official water of the competition, were on ground at the draw ceremony, with the sales and marketing department head Deacon Kelvin Ibomor JP who promise that Olivia water is ever ready to partner Edo FA just as the product will be available from the start to the end of the 2025 Edo FA cup competition, in addition to providing Branded jerseys to the Loc members and the Ball boys.
According to the released fixtures two games will be decided at the western Boys high school mini sports complex, ikpoba hill as Restoration Fc will lock horns against Shooting Arrows Fc by 9am on February 5th 2025, while Royal force and Dynamo Academica trade tackles by 11am same day.
At the cresent sports club iriri, St Andrews Fc will do battle against West Gate Fc by 9am, while Aftermath Fc will be up against Eagles wings Fc by 11am.
Meanwhile, Bendel insurance fc will begin their title defence from the second round of the tournament as they were drawn bye along seven others including their feeders team.
In the womens category, cup holders Edo Queens and 2024 runner up Fortress Ladies were drawn bye, while Benin Red soil fc,. Tikitaka Fc, Brave hearts fc and Bravos will kick start the first round of matches on the 7th of February 2025 at western Boys high school Mini sports complex, ikpoba hill, Benin City.
The 2025 Edo FA cup competition sponsored by Peculiar ultimate concern Ltd, will run from February 5th to 23rd 2025 at two designated centres with the finals slated for the Samuel ogbemudia stadium in Benin City.
