Austin Popo, Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Training Centre (SKFTVC), in a chat on the sidelines of the final of this year’s edition of the Stephen Keshi Memorial National Under 17 Soccer Tournament held on the football pitch of Iyoba College, Egor, lamented the poor treatment given to the memory of the late former Captain cum Team Manager of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
“To be fair enough the best team won. By the last arrangement you can see that we’re being creative to be here because we had a serious disappointment yesterday from the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“Three weeks ago we submitted a letter through the Edo State Football Association (EDFA) to the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission (Desmond Enabulele) for the approval of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“Unfortunately, for us to
go and check for the approval yesterday we were told that the stadium was not approved. I remember that few days ago the stadium hosted a local government chairman’s tournament. I don’t know what informed them not to approve the stadium for the Stephen Keshi Tournament.
“We all know what he (Stephen Keshi) represents. If the stadium was not approved because of the organisers it should have been approved because of who we’re honouring. To me, this is very unfortunate. These are the kind of things that discourage players, coaches and the likes from staking their lives in defence of Nigeria.
“For me it’s very unfortunate. Nobody is supporting us. We’re solely organising the tournament to keep the memories and legacies of Stephen Keshi alive but people are discouraging us. What’s there in the stadium?
“That’s the stadium that I and Keshi played in for some seven years while we were playing for the New Nigerian Bank FC. Last year that stadium hosted the finals of the tournament. Then we had a professional, Yusuf Ali, in charge of sports in Edo State. It’s time we should start putting round pegs in round holes.
“In his assessment of the tournament, Fred Newton Erhumwunse, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association (EDFA), promised that from next year the association will collaborate with its counterparts from Delta State “to see how we can make next year edition better. Stephen Keshi was from Delta State but he lived all his life in Edo State. It (the tournament) is a Bendel State affair. It should not be left to Edo State only.
“The tournament has come to stay. We believe that next year’s edition will be an improvement on this year’s edition.”
In the third place match Light FC of Ekpoma beat Okuta FC by a lone goal while Westgate FC outclassed Namo FC one nil to lift the trophy.
On hand to witness the skillful displays by the youth prodigies were an appreciable crowd of football enthusiasts which included the Guest of Honour, Eniola Odeajo, Director Nigerian Postal Institute, Egor; Joseph Cole Tare Team Manager of Warri Wolves and some youth team coaches and administrators.
Highpoint of the day’s event was the award of medals to the players and coaching crew members of the three top teams viz Westgate, Namo and Light.
