The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari on Tuesday endorsed the organisation of this year’s Emirs’ Cup soccer competition, even as he charged well-meaning Kwarans to support the competition.
While receiving members of Ilorin Emirate Football Association (IEFA), organisers of the competition in his palace yesterday, the royal father commended them for resuscitating the competition, which was last staged in 2014.
The former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reiterated his resolve to continue to promote sports and youth development in the state and beyond.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of IEFA, Alhaji Yusuf Babatunde Gegele said that the competition was last staged in 2014, and that the trophies for the first, second and third positions, including medals for the on-going edition was donated by Asiwaju Sarafadeen Kolade of Energy and Legacy oil Limited.
Alhaji Gegele, who commended the Emir for his support and blessing, charged other Kwarans to support the competition. He also applauded Alhaji Mohammed Modibbo for his support.
According to Alhaji Muhammed T. Salaudeen (also known as Batandy), 12 teams put in for the Royal competition this year, and dates for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the tournament will be confirmed after due consultation by the organizers.
The competition is now at the quarter-final stage. Samba FC will take on International FC in the first quarter-finals. Other fixtures include United Academy against Santos FC, Vision FC versus Flash FC, and Royal FC taking on Wentona FC.
The IEFA team also has Alhaji Kehinde Abdulkadri.
