Organizers of Jagaban Cup have released the draws for the maiden edition of the scouting competition as the tournament officially kicks off on Tuesday 15th November.
It’s the first edition of the tournament and will be hosted at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.
In the draw conducted on Tuesday at Lagos SWAN Secretariat, Group A is made up of 36 Lion, Messiah FC, Badagry United, De Potters and MFM FC, while Group B houses Smart City, Olukismet, FC Bethel, Jo Sportyne and Ikorodu City.
36 Lion and Messiah FC will slug it out in the opening match at Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday. Kickoff is 7am.
Coordinator of Jagaban Cup, Mr Wale Joseph explained modalities on how the competition will become successful.
He appealed to clubs on the need to embrace fair play and the rules of the game.
Brain behind the tournament, Hajj Olawale Gafar Liameed explained the reason for the competition which is on a No Offside Basis.
“There is no other job as good as football and coaching. This is a scouting tournament that involves Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway and Finland. We will be having minimum of three Europeans for the scouting tournament,” he explained.
“It is called Jagaban Cup because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our father. He is the renewed hope. It’s time to do for him. That’s why we have the hashtag, let’s do for the doer. The competition will be an annual event. We will take the competition to the next level. We will host the tournament for a long time. It has come to stay. Asiwaju is a leader and he needs our support. In the name of Jagaban Cup, we are here to build future stars.”
“If you want to be a talent developer, you must be an identifier. A good talent doesn’t need too many minutes to be recognized. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best talent developer. This tournament has come to stay. Thanks for coming, God will give you the strength to identify the best talents. The scouts are decision makers. If a player is good, he will be recommended. We will also have few scouts who represent the NPFL. Our league needs the best on the domestic font. Some players would be selected to beef up the best teams in Nigeria also.
“The best referees would officiate games, so expect fairness. The scouts are the decision makers. Total package is coming to the clubs. The budget for this project is #20m. Already we have spent over #25m. It’s like climbing the Mountain to feed our players. The more reason we broke the bank to fund this project. This is the first time that we are organizing a Scouting Tournament where clubs didn’t pay a dime. FIFA frowns at third party ownership. If a player is selected, we would allow you deal directly with the scout. That’s what we call Total Package. We see Football as Palace and Sky where every bird flies. Every club will deal with scouts directly, we would be there to serve as Supervisors. We won’t collect a dime from your cut. We want the best players to be selected,” he added.
Jagaban Cup is proudly supported by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and The Enigma.
The Full Draws
Group A
36 Lion
Messiah FC
Badagry United
De Potters
MFM FC
Group B
Smart City
Olukismet
FC Bethel
Jo Sportyne
Ikorodu City