Around 250 talented young football players will embark on a transformative journey toward enhanced career visibility as the Elite Youth League, in collaboration with the prestigious scouting platform Wyscout and foremost players management hub, Play It, begins its remarkable venture in Edo State.
The league is scheduled to kick off in the first week of May 2025 in Iyahmo, Etsako West, Edo State.
Eight teams from across the country will be playing in the league, powered by renowned players scouting video analysis, database and transfers platform —Wyscout and foremost football management company —Play It.
The league organizers at the unveiling held Saturday afternoon at the media centre, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, reeled out the date, the structure, the partners and sponsors of the league as well as modalities that would be followed.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Harrison Iyonmana, said football had become a global money-making, and stakeholders must align with this reality rather than remain in the obsolete world of playing and winning just trophies.
“Football has gone beyond playing and winning trophies — it’s now a global business world.”
“It’s a win-win situation for everybody as long as you are in the league.”
“We are taking the league from our village to the world, and every game will be broadcast live and go to the Wyscout platform.”
While charging teams to be of good behaviour in the tournament, he assured them that participating in the tournament is a win-win situation for their participation.
“You have a wider range to expose your players as the scouts aren’t just sitting to watch you for 1 hour — they sit back, watch and follow up through the Wyscout platform and get what they need in you”
“We promise the league to be exciting to everyone, as long as you keep to the rules of the league.”
“There won’t be room for any irresponsible act from anyone. The league is a big brand that demands uprightness from every participating team.”
The chief organizer, Harrison Okaka, in his speech, did a breakdown of the league, stating some of the benefits clubs will earn in participating.
“We decided to create a league where we can partner with Wyscout and foreign agencies and where people can watch these players in the comfort of their places without having to come to watch them here before they can get the best talents.
“It is the largest marketing platform in the world, with over 33,000 players. There, you can get access to sporting directors and big CEOs of European clubs.”
“It’s not about training players, and there’s no room to groom them; if this kind of platform existed, they would be out there making it big in football.”
“We are the third platform coming up under Wyscout in the country and this is going to be something big.”
“To the clubs, invest in the right way to enjoy the dividends — come participate in the league, and you will enjoy it.”
The chairman of Nigeria Coaches Association, Edo Chapter, Felix Evbodi, who spoke on behalf of the coaches, commended the organizers of the league, citing differences and prospects in what he’s seeing in the league structure and architecture.
“I have to confess that this platform so far is one of the best where wasted platform here in Nigeria can easily be identified.”
“I can see the bigger pictures of what they intend to do with our talents in the state and country.”
He, however, urged the organizers to put in place strict measures to curb the excesses of clubs that may want to put up attitudes in the course of the incoming season.
“Please, everyone, I want to subscribe to having strict sanctions in place to help curb excesses.”
Present at the unveiling were the General Secretary of Edo Football Association, Mr Richard Adebisi; Sports Writers Association of Nigeria South-South Zonal Secretary, Joseph Isokpehi; Chief Operating Officer, Platinum News, Mr Bolaji Jokanola; Publisher, Hilltop News, Precious Okueze, coaches of the participating teams and Edo FA Staff members.