The 3rd edition of the Felix Okugbe Memorial Cup kicked off Wednesday in Benin with a gathering of raw football talents across 15 grassroots clubs jostling for glory in what is becoming a traditional tournament in Benin.
The tournament is organised in honour of the great personality in the sports journalism industry as well as the football administration, who passed on in October 2015.
The opening match of the under-15 male tournaments lived up to its pre-match hype as Benin-based Shola FC thrashed Magnifico FC 4-0, with a display of good football artistry to the delight of fans and dignitaries at the Emotan College Grammar School.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the match, the Chairman of the ex-players of Ugbowo Bombers, Mr. Uyi Opara, said that the annual football competition is being organised by FEYSOC and sponsored by Ex-players of the famous Ugbowo Bombers Football Club in collaboration with friends of the Late Broadcast icon.
This is the third time we have gathered in honour of the ace broadcaster (Felix Osagie Okugbe) because we have resolved not to allow his name forgotten.
He charged the youths to remain focused to maximise their potential, noting that the yearly tournament is also aimed at discovering and developing talents from the grassroots.
“These young talents have the opportunity to make a career for themselves if they so desire. Everything is a choice, we have provided the platform and we intend to support them and make them stay on the right path”. Opara said.
On his part, the ex-Captain of Ugbowo Bombers, Prince Winner Bobby Okojie, said: “We decided to honour our Late Coach and broadcast icon, Dr. Felix Osagie Okugbe every year with this football competition because of how he affected our lives positively.
“He touched our lives and many Nigerians in several positive ways, hence, we decide to celebrate him every year with this football competition.
The Late Okugbe, took his pet club, Ugbowo Bombers to Gutenberg in Sweden in 1992 where the team won the maiden edition of the Gotta Cup.
He was the Coach of the victorious Ugbowo Bombers Football Club of Benin later produced great footballers for the country.
Some of the participating teams in this year’s Okugbe Memorial Football Competition are Shavic FC, Ugbowo Bombers FC, Rolly FC, Rollings FC, Ogbomo FC and, MFM FC. Others include Uselu FC, Dynamic FC and Dynamo Sports Foundation.
Amateur images