Prince Ademola Kiyesola, chairman, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Kwara State chapter, has promised that the first edition of Ilemona 2024 All Kwara Under 18 boys Soccer Tournament will meet global standards, adding that the two weeks long championship will further spur social and economic growth of Ilemona, a bubbling town already on the list of growing educational hub in the state.
Prince Kiyesola made disclosed this on Sunday at Ilemona, Kwara State, where the trophies for the tournament were unveiled.
Flash news gathered that the championship is meant to commemorate the recent passing of His Royal Majesty, HRM, Late Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi 1.
In all, over 200 contingents, including players and officials are expected to be in the town for the two weeks while the tourney lasts.
“This is no small economic activities coming to Ilemona in the days ahead,” the YSFON chairman said.
“Apart from the commemoration YSFON deems it fit to organize as per the mandate given to it on Ilemona 2024, a football competition fitting of global standards.
“We are talking of yearly event fit enough to attract scouts from clubs from outside the country into Ilemona to grow our local economy,” said Prince Kiyesola.
The small town is still trending in youth soccer news circle on account of the exploit of NA Royal, a football club based in Ilemona, whose Under -18 came second in Katsina State at the Bola Tinubu Under 18 YSFON championship recently.
NA Royal is also the sponsoring body which gave the mandate to YSFON to organize the championship.
“YSFON is well known for our standards in youth soccer development.
Our aim is to make the championship attractive enough to make youth clubs in the country play in Ilemona instead of traveling to Italy, Germany or Norway for invitational tournaments,” he said.
For the first edition of the tournament, eight teams will participate in the competition which already began with the unveiling ceremony on Sunday.
The teams involved, apart from NA Royal FC, include La Planet, Asoju Oba, Dickalo, FC, Oyun Selected, Offa YSFON Stars, Edu Future Stars and Sunrise.
Speaking on behalf of the royal house which the tournament is commemorating, Olawoyin Benjamin Adekunle said that Ilemona is delighted to be the host of the championship.
“We are always desirous of things like this. We feel honoured and we promise that we will be a good host.
Also speaking on behalf of players from the eight teams, Ishola Munkayo of Sunrise FC, said that he, like other players, are looking forward to hitting the turf.
“We will make the tournament a good launch pad for our career and we will exhibit sportsmanship,” he said.
Also speaking on the level of preparedness for the competition, Rabiu Abdulkareem, a representative of the sponsors, said that logistics are already for the competition.
“We can promise that you will not lack in anything.”
According to him, there are mouth watering gifts prepared according to global best practices to incentivize diligence in players and teams.
The organizers say that arrangement has been made to accommodate 200 contingents including players and officials.
