By Gbenga Sodeinde
The draws for the Ekiti Obas Cup took place on Saturday (May 14) at the AB Hotel Emporiium in Ado Ekiti amidst applause from the coaches of participating teams in attendance.
The event saw the teams zoned into 4 groups with teams located along same axis falling in same group for the preliminary matches.
According to the draws which was streamed live on the Ekiti Obas Cup Facebook page , the likes of Onisan FC ,Onitaji FC,Elekole FC and Apeju FC were drawn on group A.
Group B comprises Olufaki FC, Arajaka FC, Olukere FC and Oloye FC.
Ewi FC, Onimesi FC and Onigbemo FC were drawn in group C while the last group which is D has Owatapa FC, Owa Ooye Okemesi FC, Alawe FC and Alara of Aramoko FC.
The under 18 soccer Championship which ought to kick off on Monday May 16 has however been shifted to begin on Wednesday May 18 due to the on going WAEC involving some players of some of the participating teams while the grand finale will still hopefully be decide on May 31 in Ado Ekiti.
Head of the organizing committee, Qozeem Oladapo thanked the Ekiti Obas Cup headed by the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, oba Gabriel Adejuwon, the Ekiti State Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Sports Council, Ekiti State Football Association and the various Local Football Councils for their show of love, cooperation and support towards the tournament.
He also reeled out some of the plans of the organizing committee to reward impressive players, coaches and supporters of the participating teams in various ways.
The coaches who all went home with uniform customized Polo shirts and face caps commended the brains behind the Ekiti Obas Cup for the beautiful outing and organization.
In attendance was the representative of the Olukere, Oba Abdulganeey Obasoyin, Mr Mustapha Bello (Saye) from the Ado Ekiti Local Football Council as well as Portofino Eatery (Official Foods of Ekiti Obas Cup) who all urged the organizers to keep up the good job and ensure fair play before and during every match of the Youth soccer competition.