5000 schools to battle for Copa Coca-Cola trophy

Over 110,000 students drawn from 5,000 schools across the federation are set to compete for the title at the 2017 Copa Coca-Cola football tournament, which kicks off nationwide on April 24.

Speaking to newsmen ahead of the event in Lagos, the Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mr. Cletus Onyebuoha explained that the tournament was an opportunity for teens to pursue their football dream, and in the process come together to make new friends and learn what it takes to be part of a team.

“COPA Coca-Cola is an international youth football tournament and a global celebration of football passion.

“It unites more than one million teenagers in over 60 countries around the world, promoting an active lifestyle and encouraging values that are the foundation of life and sportsmanship.

“It is about team spirit, friendship and respect. The Copa Coca-Cola Tournament is more than a game”, he stated.Explaining the innovations in this year’s edition, he said, “This year, the competition has been divided into three stages, the grassroots, group and the final.

“At the grassroots, interested schools in each 36 states and FCT will have to compete for a chance to represent their states at the group stage and the national.

“At the state level, all 110,000 participants will get a COPA Coca-Cola bib; the top three teams will receive medals.”He revealed that the winning teams in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive a trophy and makeover of a football pitch of their choice worth N5 million.

At the national level, he added, players in the top three teams and the top three schools will benefit from an education trust fund totaling N22 million, as well as cash prizes totaling N2 million.

“There is also a golden boot for highest goal scorer, plaque for the most valued player, golden gloves for best goal keeper and a trophy for the national winner”, he reiterated.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, urged competing schools to ensure that they present players of eligible age.“These children are young and as such, we should instill discipline in them, they should be registered according to the prescribed age for the tournament”, he advised.