Channels International Kids Cup for boys in Primary Schools who are under-13 is in its season 11 this year with organisers of the tournament reading the riot act to school planning to field ineligible players.
Speaking in a ceremony held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday to conduct the draws and unveil jerseys, the chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the tournament, Steve Judo, advised the youngsters to try as much as possible to combine education with their football careers.
“We want to emphasize that God has given you the talents and brains to help you excel in life.
“We want you to cross that bar and play to the biggest stages using the platform that the Channels International Kids Cup has provided.
“While in the hostel, we encourage you to mix freely and make friends with players from other schools” Judo added.
The chairman of the technical committee of the tournament, Tade Azeez, congratulated pupils from the 16 schools who made it to Lagos for the finals but warned that screening to determine if any team fielded over-aged players will continue till the last day of the competition.
“For you to be here, you’re supposed to be in Primary school and still under-13 but we will not assume that you’re not over aged until we screen you.
“As organisers of the Channels Kids Cup, we have zero tolerance for age cheats and that’s the reason we’re going to screen players up till the final day”
The competition starts today at the Agege Stadium with the first match kicking off at 9 in the morning.
The 16 teams have been drawn into four groups and the final would hold at Campos Mini Stadium on May 27 to commemorate the Children’s Day celebration.