FROM= EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri
The then Nigerian wonder boy of 1993 U – 17 Atlanta Georgia Olympic Gold medalist, Mr. Mobi Patrick Oparaku, MON has thrown his weight behind the maiden- City Cruz Lian Sports European 1st Annual U-19 Scouting Tournament holding in Owerri., Imo State capital.
The five days historical event which commences this Sunday (12/09/021) at Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri Convocation Playing Ground will end this week Friday with more than 13 football clubs from South East and South South geopolitical zones poised to trade tackles as already fixtured in two killer groups comprising A and B.
The tournament which also is strategically packaged for reputable foreign clubs scouters to scout for talented players is being presented by Landmark Sports and Entertainment and powered by City Cruz Hotels, Owerri.
Oparaku, the Olympic Gold medalist who actively played for Nigeria as left full back defense maestro between 1996-2003 is also detailed to be the Special Guest of Honour during the crucial but empowering tournament.
To cement how important the multi million Naira tournament will be in the lives of Imo and Nigerian youths at large, the idols like Mikel Agu and Simy Nwankwo have been declared the Ambassadors of the world class tournament.
According to Mr. Maliki Kachi Atufule one of the prime organizers of the evergreen soccer fiesta “come prepared to thrill and win as there would be foreign club scouters to scout for talented players, special guests like
Antonio Gialloreto, Players Agent and Sports Attorney, Lian Sports Europe
Omar Sciolla and African Chief scout Olympic Marseille” he informed.
To ensure timely and effective realization of the tournament overall objective, the teams are grouped into two with group A parading famous football clubs like Heartland FC, Good Soccer FC, Ku Kalifa FC,Golden Boot Fc, Malick pro FC, Godgrace FC and Mate FC while Group B are studded with Football clubs like CENN FC, City Cruz FC. De Essential Academy, Mgbala FC
SS Strikers FC, First Mahill FC among others.
The tournament which is a life time opportunity is billed to uncover hidden Nigerian football talents that would export their trade overseas and hit headlines in the next football season.