Lagos Oba Cup kicks off today

The newly resustitated Lagos State government organised Oba Cup football competition will kick off today in all the Local Divisional Football Association in the state with a record entry of two hundred and three clubs jostling for honour.

Lagos State Sports Council Chairman, Yomi Dada announced at a media briefing heralding this year’s edition that the competition will begin in five centres - Island , Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Ikeja.

According to him, a total of N3.7 million has been earmarked as prize money for all treh semi finalists in this years edition which ends on January 17, 2009 .

Barrister Yomi Dada, who also double as Local Organising Chairman said Monday at Teslim Balogun Stadium during the press conference that the state has been grouped into 5 zones; Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos Divisional Football Association and Badagry.

According to him, the zonal champions are expected to emerge by December 29 and quarter-final, semi-finals and final to begin by first week of January and the final fixed for January 17, 2009.

Speaking further, Dada disclosed that the overall champion will take home N2m, while the 2nd placed team will earn N1m. The 3rd placed and 4th placed will smile home with a sum of N500, 000 and N250, 000 respectively.

The LOC boss, who pledged a hitch free competition, explained that decision to move the annual Oba Cup around the state unlike in the past where it was restricted to Lagos Island local government, is to enable youths of the state have a sense of belonging with the hope of discovering more talents.

"The idea behind making it a state affair was in conformity with Babtunde Raji Fashola’s administration of empowering the youth of the state and make them be part of activities of his administration with the hope of developing sports at the grassroots level" Dada said.

Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Waidi Akanni, assured that the competition would be hitch-free, adding that arrangements had been concluded to make the final, scheduled for January a big show.