JOF U-13 Cup: Organisers Confirm Final Date, Increased Cash Prizes
Excitement is building as the fourth edition of the JOF U-13 Football Tournament approaches its highly anticipated final day.
The tournament, which began on March 14, 2023, has seen 32 kids' teams showcase their skills, with the finals now set to take place at the Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
The third-place match will feature Ojo Babes against Kudus Babes from Epe at 1 pm, followed by the grand finale at 3 pm between Zamadek Boys of Orile and Wazbak Babes from Lagos Mainland.
Speaking at a media conference held in Lagos, Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, Director of Strategic Support Services at JOF Nigeria Limited, expressed his wishes for a successful final and urged all participants to embrace the spirit of fair play.
While expressing delight at the successes recorded in the past editions of the annual tournament, Mr Adetunji assured JOF Nigeria Limited will not rest on its oars.to continually provide a platform for young talents to blossom.
As part of JOF Nigeria Limited's commitment to the sponsorship of the age-grade football tournament, Adetunji also announced an increase in the cash prizes for the winners.
Last year, JOF Nigeria Limited awarded a total of N950,000 to the four teams in the finals. However, this year, the prize money has been raised to N1.4 million.
The winners will receive N500,000, while the runners-up will be awarded N400,000. The third-place team will receive N300,000, and the fourth-place team will take home N200,000.
In addition to the team prizes, JOF Nigeria Limited has also made provisions for consolatory prizes for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the competition, the Best Team, and the Best Goalkeeper. These additional incentives serve as a further motivation for the young players to showcase their skills and compete at their best.
Mr. Adetunji extended his congratulations to all the footballers, coaches, managers, parents, and supporters who have contributed to the success of the tournament and added glamour to the event. He reiterated JOF Nigeria Limited's commitment to promoting football development at the grassroots level and helping to discover young talents in Lagos State. The company firmly believes that through sporting activities, youth can be positively engaged and nurtured.
"Let me reiterate the fact that JOF Nigeria Limited is sponsoring this competition to promote development of football at the grassroots and to help discover young talents in Lagos State. We also believe that through sporting activities, our youth can be positively engaged," he said.
The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association described the JOF U-13 Cup as a platform for upcoming talents to exhibit their God-given soccer abilities and a pathway for future stars to showcase themselves to the world. The tournament provides young players with an invaluable opportunity to gain exposure, experience, and recognition on their journey to becoming professional footballers.
As the final day of the JOF U-13 Cup approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling matches that will showcase the talents and determination of these young players. With increased cash prizes and a focus on fair play, the tournament continues to provide a platform for nurturing footballing talent and promoting the growth of the sport at the grassroots level.
