THE Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) has announced the date for the maiden edition of the Gov. Godswill Akpabio National U-17 soccer tourney for boys and girls.

YSFON’s Central Working Committee after a meeting held in Uyo, disclosed that the one-week tournament which is to attract teams from all the 36 states and Abuja, will run from November 29 - December 7, 2008 at the Uyo Sports Stadium.

Publicity Secretary of the soccer federation, Ben Ekpo, in an email sent to Sporting Champion, stated that YSFON has resolved to make the tourney the second biggest event on its annual calendar. YSFON’s number one tourney remains the Ramat International Championship that attracts teams from outside the nation’s shores.

Ekpo stated that the Akwa Ibom State government has pledged to make the tournament a glamorous one.

"It is going to be a glamorous soccer fiesta, given the assurances we have secured from the government of Akwa Ibom State. The state govern, Chief Godswill Akpabio is interested in developing football at the grassroots level," Ekpo stated.