The Delta State Principals’ Cup Football Competition sponsored by Zenith Bank will enter its business end from January 21 with the zonal elimination series, the organisers have revealed.
This year’s edition is the third in the series since the tournament was revived in 2017 by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa with support from Zenith Bank.
After the preliminary stage played at all the 25 local councils in the state, 26 teams emerged to compete in the elimination series in 10 zones across the state.
Head of the organizing team, Tony Pemu added that eight quarterfinalists will merge from the zonal event holding from January 21 to 25, with three teams in each of the zones and just one expected to emerge as champions.
Pemu said: “The school sports festival takes place between January 15 and 18 and that is why the zonal event is starting on January 21. All logistics are in place and before the last day of January, we would have been through with the zonal stage and the quarterfinal ties.
“We will enter February with four semifinalists and we are yet to determine dates for the final stages due to the elections and other matters that could affect the schedule of Governor Okowa.
“On our part, we are working hard to get the teams ready for this crucial stage.”
Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo has charged the organisers to work toward ensuring a true winner emerges at the end of proceedings.
“We are noted for integrity and that is why we want the best from this competition. Fair play must prevail and a true winner is what we desire so that our desire to raise future stars will remain on track,” Amangbo said.
Pilgrims Baptist Grammar School, Issele Uku is the venue for zone A in which Oshimiri North and Aniocha South councils will vie for honours on January 21. Two days later Ika South and Aniocha South will vie for honours at the same venue. Only one team will emerge from this zone.
The organisers are expected to come out with the dates and venues for the final round of matches in the days ahead.
