The 15th edition of the NNPC/SPDC JV-Sponsored Football Competition also known as “NNPC/Shell Cup” kicked off at 9 centres across the nation with its elimination games on Wednesday.
Ejemekwuru/Akabor Secondary School, Oguta LGA who is representing Imo State in this year’s championship was yesterday expected to trade tackles with their counterparts from Anambra State in the first game of the Enugu centre.
The other states in the Enugu zone, Cross River also engaged Benue State representatives in the second match of the day. Before their departure to Enugu early Wednesday, the team was almost ruled out of this year’s competition due to lack of funds. It could be recalled that the state won the trophy back-to-back in 2010 and 2011 when Government Secondary School, Owerri represented the state. The team did not however cross the quarter final stage last year as they were stopped by Delta State the 2012 runners-up. The NNPC/Shell Cup has become over the years, one of Nigeria’s leading youth football tournaments and an annual feature in the country’s educational and sports calendar. The 2013 edition of the championship is expected to feature over 100,000 students playing in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and there will be prizes for the four top schools that will emerge from the competition.
