NAN-S-8
Kit
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The finalists of the 2016 Gold Cup pre-season football tournament will be kitted by Nigeria’s sportswear company, Owu, the organisers said on Wednesday.
The competition’s Media Manager, Olawale Quadri, said in a statement on Wednesday in Ilorin that Tunji Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of Owu Sportswear Ventures gave the competitors the assurance.
According to the statement, the firm will kit the two finalists and promises to always contribute its quota to the development of the tournament and Nigerian football.
It added that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Board Member, Ahmed Fresh, had donated a trophy for the team that would emerge the Gold Cup Pre-Season tournament’s runners-up.
The statement said the football administrator disclosed his planned donation to the General Coordinator of the competition, Tunde Shamsudeen.
“I have been following the Gold Cup tournament, I say to you the organisers that season after season; you have been doing a wonderful job.
“As journalists who cover the leagues, you provide a platform where teams in the various leagues in the country can test their players to know their strengths and weaknesses before the new season kicks off.
“I know there is a trophy and cash prize for the winners, courtesy of Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, but in my own little way, I’m donating a trophy that will be presented to the second best team,’’ said Fresh.
It said that Shamsudeen thanked Fresh who is the Niger FA boss, for identifying with the tournament, saying the trophy would bring about stiffer competition among the participants.
“I want to specially thank Alhaji Ahmed Fresh, for his kind gesture and I believe this runners-up trophy will go a long way in making the competition more glamorous,’’ Shamsudeen said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will be staged at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4.
Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Crown FC, Remo Stars, Lagos-based MFM FC and Supreme Court FC are among the participants.
Kano Pillars won the last edition having defeated Supreme Court 2-1 in the final. (NAN)
BAY/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)