By NELSON DAFE

January is a period when aspiring young grassroots players hopeful of joining the train of the January transfer window in Europe to market themselves and show the stuff they’re made of to potential suitors. While a number of clubs and players at the youth level unfortunately take the early January period as a break from training and matches, some of a more desirous disposition seize this period to get in the best possible shape for the possibility of a sudden transfer opening.

From France arrives a top Nigerian football personality Vincent Osaghae (a.k.a Opel) and the philanthropist is offering an early January platform for grassroots players to be in the best competitive shape as he sponsors a football tournament that is already the talk of the Benin City.

The Opel Gold Cup which kicks off at the beautifully refurbished Egba Secondary School pitch promises to showcase the best of Benin City grassroots football with scouts and agents from Europe following keenly the competition. A handsome cash prize of 200,000 naira awaits the winners, while the second placed team and third placed club will go home with 100,000 naira and 50,000 naira respectively.

The tournament kicks off January 9. Chairman of the organizing committee of the competition, Mr Osaro Obasuyi, says participating clubs should be excited to take part in the competition.

“Ikpoba Okha is a sports loving local government and the people of Egba community, close to the Ikpoba Local Government Secretariat, Idogbo, are very passionate about football. Egba welcomes all in January and we the organizers promise to deliver a tournament rooted in fairness, fanfare and top security for teams,” Mr Obasuyi says.

The sponsor of the competition, Mr Vincent Osaghae, says he wants to see the rich grassroots football experiences he’s had in France being replicated in Benin City during the competition.

“There are a number of top talents in the Edo and Delta are. What these talents need are constant avenues to exhibit their skills and proper media coverage to expose these talents to those who matter, talking about agents and professional clubs. My goal in sponsoring this competition is as much to help in this regard as it is to bring fun and excitement to the Upper Sakpoba area where Egba is located,” Osaghae asserted.

Both finalists in the competition will be given high quality sets of jerseys, while prizes await top individual performers.

Already, top grassroots academies in Benin like Benin Warriors, Etto academy and Elite Stars Fc have indicated interest to participate and are currently preparing seriously for the prestige of becoming champions of the maiden edition of the Opel Gold Cup 2023.