By Nicholas Obisike
Enugu – Vemard FC of Enugu in partnership with 9 Mobile Network, on Thursday unveiled the trophy for the forthcoming 2017 Coal City Football Carnival in Enugu starting on Nov.20 and end on Dec.20
The carnival which will be the first of its kind, is tagged, “2017 Vemard Coal City Football Carnival’’ and 16 teams will compete for the trophy.
Speaking during the unveiling, the General Manager of Vemard Africa FC, Chukwunonye Okereke, said that the carnival remained like other football carnivals in the country but that it would be unique.
“After this carnival that will start on Nov. 20 and end Dec.20, outstanding performances will be rewarded.
“The success of this carnival will likely lead to its expansion where other states can come in and probably it may become a regional event,’’ he said.
9 Mobile Regional Sales Manager, Francis Nnaike, said that the organisation partnered with Vemard FC after seeing the accrued benefit of the programme for youths.
He said that 9 Mobile would reward the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and the Best Midfielder of the Tournament.
Others, he said include; Best Coach, Best Club Supporter, Best Goalkeeper and the Best Defender of the tournament.
“Right now, we want to start with 16 areas in Enugu State and in the next series we will likely incorporate other states,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Enugu Football Association (EFA) Secretary, Francis Ugwu, has commended the initiator of the carnival, saying that it would help to discover more Austin Okochas, Nwankwo Kanus among others.
After the unveiling, the draw was made and the areas were placed into four groups.
Group A comprises of Abakpa Nike, Independence Layout, Asata and Uwani.
Coal Camp, Gariki, Achara-layout and Ogui Area will compete in group B while group C has Nsukka, New Haven Extension, Trans-Ekulu and Iva Valley.
The final group, D, has Obiagu, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Agbani/ Idaw River and Emene.
The first match will be between, Independence Layout and Uwani and it will kick-off at 4p m. (NAN)