Not fewer than 30 youth teams are set to participate in the maiden edition of the Nigeria Youth League Cup (NYLC).
The president of NYLC, Robinson Adakosa, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Adakosa said the league has received support from the Sports Ministry, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He said that the Nigeria National League, FCT Football Association, and other relevant stakeholders have also endorsed the tournament.
“It is a youth development programme with the mission of providing world-class football experience, and competition for teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 19,” he said.
He said NYLC was founded in 2023 and will become the fastest Youth League in Africa.
“It will soon grow to over 1,000,000 members with participants and followers in all the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
“Our cardinal objectives are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment.
Chief Operating Officer of NNL, Ayo Abdulrahman, who represented the president of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, urged players to be good ambassadors of the sport.
He urged the players to be disciplined in their games to enable them to achieve their set goals.
“We decided to endorse and embrace this league because this is part of a developmental programme that will enhance the development of football in Nigeria,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the teams have been divided into groups A and B.
Group A:
Lobi Stars FC of MakurdiAS Roma Academy of AbujaDynamic African Stars FC of AbujaGarden City Panthers of AbujaLegacy Stars FC of AbujaJoecas FC of JosMees Palace FC of JosPlateau United FC of JosShield City FC of KanoKwara Football AcademyKwara United FCABS FC IlorinKano Pillars FCYobe Desert Stars FC of DamaturuCrystal Palace of Kebbi
Group B:
Abia Warriors FC of AbaAkwa United FC of UyoRangers FC of EnuguBucknor FC of LagosR2 Finesse of LagosAtlantic Business FC of OgunSunshine Stars FC of AkureShooting Stas FC of IbadanRivers United FC of Port HarcourtRoyalty FC of LagosShuffle Select FA of LagosGateway City FC of AbeokutaEnyimba Fc of AbaAustenplus FCEagles Stars of Lagos
NAN reports that the league cup matches would be played on a home and away basis, on Tuesdays at 4pm prompt at different venues across the country.
There will be a regional championship where all the winners will participate in the two conferences.
The two top teams in the conference would proceed to the Namor Championship.
The NYLC season will commence from September 8, 2024, to April 20, 2025.
(NAN)
https://punchng.com/30-teams-set-to-compete-in-inaugural-nigeria-youth-league-cup/?utm_source=rss.punchng.com&utm_medium=web
