Arsenal, Stuttgart, Antalya storm Edwin Clark’s tourney

Arsenal, VFB Stuttgart and Antalya Sports scouts clubs would participate in this year’s Edwin Clark U-18 Football Tournament holding between May 16 and 25, 2013.
This was disclosed by the Emmanuel Omijeh, the Chief Executive Officer of Rudder Sports Management, the organizers of the tournament.
“Four top European teams that are expected to participate in the competition are VB Stuttgart Kickers of Germany, Kodak 04 of Greece, Antalya Sports of Turkey and Karama Sports of Turkey,” Omijeh disclosed.
“The competition will hold between May 16 and 25 in Uyo and Eket in Akwa Ibom State. The grand finale is already scheduled for May 25 to honour Chief Edwin Clark on his birthday,” Omijeh added.
He explained the reasons for organizing the competition: “Coming out of the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa as African Champions, we want the tournament to reach out to the grassroots and every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
“This made some of the ex-internationals like the Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi; ex-Eagles handler, Samson Siasia; Peter Rufai; Taribo West; Austin Okocha; and Kanu Nwankwo to come together to say just as they honour former South Africa President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, with the Mandela Cup, they decided to do something like this for Chief Edwin Clark who has been there for all of us. Chief Clark has always identified with the youths of this country.
“Also, there is the dire need to replace the old talents with the younger ones. So the tournament will be used to discover new talents and also give these young talents to have the opportunity of showcasing their talents to the outside world.”
Omigie added: “Kanu Nwankwu, as I speak with you, has travelled to England to speak with the Chief Scout of his former club, Arsenal, as well as African scout of International Soccer Bank and Simon Kalika, whom we all know and others that have yet to be confirmed. These people will be in Akwa Ibom to watch these kids and at least two or three among these players would be given the opportunity to play in Arsenal, VfB Stuttgart and some notable clubs in Turkey.
“Chief Clark is not only a leader from the South-South zone but a national leader. He has always spoken for the down trodden. As a result, we want to honour him on his 86th birthday. Now that he is still with us hale and healthy, we want to appreciate him. We are bringing one team from each geopolitical zone. So we are bringing eight teams from Nigeria, with Delta State where he comes from, and host state, Akwa Ibom, completing the team based in Nigeria while four teams would come from Africa. Four teams from Africa have already confirmed their participation in the tournament and they are Real Banjul, Abedi Pele’s team, Ismail FC of Egypt and a team from Republic of Benin.”