Ekiti football makes history with JKF Youth Cup

Ekiti football is set to make history in youth football development in Nigeria, as all is set for the finals of the Dr. John Kayode Fayemi U-15 football competition for boys and girls in the state.

The youth football competition, which is the first of its kind ever in the state, and organized by Ekiti State Football Association, started in October with 16 male and eight female teams competing for honours in both categories at five different venues across the state.

And after gruelling, but exciting football matches in the groups and knockout stages of the competition that is enjoying the supports of Ekiti State government and its agencies, as well as, foremost financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc and Gossy Spring Water, all is set to determine the kings and queens of youth football in the state.

JKF Youth Cup has been described as a benchmark for youth football development by discerning football lovers. They are particularly impressed by the organisers’ desire to change the reward system in youth football to encourage a savings culture amongst the impressionable lads.

All the footballers and team officials in the youth football competition have been receiving financial rewards that is aggregated according to their progression in the competition. The monies are paid directly into their accounts with Zenith Bank Plc, who is one of the headline sponsors of the competition.

According to the EKSFA Chairman, Bayo Olanlege, the competition has lived up to the expectations of the organizers, particularly, as it concerns breeding a generation of educated, talented and morally upright footballers that would go on to do the state and the country proud, in a not too distant future.

“I must confess to you that we have been impressed by the level of tactical awareness and technical abilities displayed by our boys and girls, and particularly, their discipline and attitude, which I will say, is highly commendable.
“
We also commend and thank Governor John Kayode Fayemi for his support and encouragement so far, as well as, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Prof. Adio Afolayan, the Ekiti State chapter of ALGON, all House of Representatives members from Ekiti State, the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Gossy Spring Waters, Zenith Bank Plc and most of all, the mother of Ekiti youths worldwide, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.”

An updated report sheet by the technical committee of the competition revealed that in the boys’ category, 72 goals have been scored in 55 games, while the female category has produced 39 goals in 27 matches.

Meanwhile, the finalists in the female category are FC Phoenix and Fatoba Queens FC. In the male category, it is expected that Ado LG and Gbonyin LG will put the fans on the edges of their seats when they battle for honours on the final day.