Nigeria’s ministry of sports has earmarked dates in August and December this year for the maiden editions of the revitalized Headmaster’s and Principal’s Cup football competitions among primary school pupils and students in secondary schools respectively, megasportsarena.com reports.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the sports minister, Sunday Akinlabi Dare and representatives of a private promotions outfit, HideaPlus Consultancy Limited, who have been saddled with the task of organising both competitions.
The MoU obliges and empowers HideaPlus to package both competitions on a national level, with the Headmasters Cup billed to hold from August 12 to 21 and the Principals Cup set for December 7 to 12.
The minister’s media officer, John Joshua-Akanji disclosed that both tournaments, which will be anchored by the ministry’s department of grassroots sports development, are part of Dare’s all-encompassing drive to youth development, talent empowerment and hunt for future stars.
He added that the Headmasters Cup and Principals Cup are both championed for revival by the minister, who has also given his backing to other events that are expected to throw up talents in the unfolding year, among which are National Youth Games from September 7 to 17 and One Service One Medal Games from November 22 to 28.
Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, the minister expressed satisfaction that one of his visions for grassroots sports development is on its way to becoming a reality, adding that both competitions will bring back fond memories and experiences of schools’ football, which was the source for the discovery of many ex-internationals in the past.
“Today we give strength to our commitment to bring back the Principals Cup that would serve as trailblazer to bring back some of the past and lost glory of not just football development but also sports development (in general),” Dare concluded.
