Guardian

THE people of the Ondo towns of Akure, Owo and Ikare Akoko have started cleaning up their cities in the anticipation of the visit of the next general of world football stars expected to hit the towns from June 4 for the Mimiko International Soccer Tournament, tagged MISTON 2013.

The competition will feature 16 teams drawn from across the world and to rev up the cities for the arrival of the young players, football agents and international journalists, the local organizing committee of MISTON 2013 has started mobilizing the people for what they expect to be the introduction of Ondo State as destination of choice for sports tourism.

According to the Local Organising Committee’s (LOC), Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee, Wahab Bankole, the people of the towns have been sensitized on the arrival of the teams and other visitors, adding that apart from the football, the foreign visitors would also be treated to the best of Ondo hospitality.

Also speaking on the preparation for the football fiesta, Vice Chairman of the Caring Hearts Foundation, which is spearheading the renaissance of sports in Ondo State, Akin Akinbobola, told journalists at the weekend that the Akure Township Stadium is ready for the kick off of the competition on June 5, adding that all the teams and visitors to the state during the championship have communicated their arrival dates to the LOC.

He listed the teams billed for the competition to include Yerima FC of Cote d’Ivoire, Vocame Revival Academy Of Makurdi, Great Scholars Soccer Academy of Ogun State, Fountain Youth Sports Academy of Ekiti State, El-Qana of Akwa Ibom, Beach Settlers of Ondo State, Young Stars of Ondo State Sports Council, Tiwa Warriors of Akoko, Yobo Academy of Lagos, Kaharamspor of Turkey, Kwakwasia of Kano State, Prestige Heights International Academy of Ghana and Young Stars International Football Academy of Lome, Togo.

Others are Rivers Lane of Enugu, ODSFA Academy Of Ondo State and Magate Of Oyo State.

He also disclosed that BRAGA FC of Portugal President, António Salvador, would lead other European football chiefs to the competition, which would be broadcast live by an international satellite broadcast organization.

Akinbobola revealed that all the participants have paid their registration fee of $500 each, adding that the teams would be paid participation fee from which they would cater for their accommodation and feeding.

A novelty match involving a team trained by Governor Olusegun Mimiko against a side trained by his wife, Oluremi Mimiko, would precede the kick off the competition on June 5, according to Akinbobola.

“This initiative is a purely private sector driven event aimed at giving indigent talented footballers the opportunity to be discovered by local and international scouts, who will be there to cover the competition.

“The MISTON will pitch young boys from Ondo State against their peers from across Nigeria and other foreign countries. The competition would help them develop their talents, expand their horizon, and make them potential stars that could in the future represent Nigeria.

“The novelty match on May 29 is one of the avenues we will generate funds for the championship because every player on that day will pay for his jersey.

“We have also approached corporate bodies, who have inn turn agreed to partner with us to see that this yearly event is sustained even after the tenure of the current regime in Ondo State.”

Akinbobola also disclosed that winners of the championship would receive cash incentives and trophies with the first, second and third placed teams going home with $7, 000, $5, 000 and $3,000 respectively.

“This is aside the medals, trophies and other incentives lined up for the outstanding teams and players.

“Most importantly, it will help us to channel our youths’ energies into a meaningful programme that would help build bright futures for them,” he added.