Edo FA vows to improve on 2017 successes

The Edo Football Association Chairman, Alex Olaye, has vowed to surpass the association’s successes in the 2017 football season in 2018.
The FA boss stated this during the 2018 FA/AITEO Cup Competition draws on Saturday night in Benin.
He said the successes were responsible for the improvements in the number of participating teams in the 2018 competition.
Olaye said 35 club sides would be participating in this year’s competition.
He, however, noted that in spite of the increase from 27 to 35 teams, the FA was ready to host a memorable competition.
Olaye also stressed that prize money for the 2018 competition still remained at N500, 000,00 N200, 000.00 and N100, 000.00 for the first, second, and third positions, respectively.
He said: “This is the season of the Aiteo Cup and the association is  fully prepared, as you can see that the number of participating teams has increased, which is due to the FA’s performance a year ago.’’
The association boss also used the draws to inform the participating teams that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium would not play host to matches in view of its ongoing renovation.
He said an alternative standard venue had been secured for matches in the FA Cup.
He said: “Be informed that this year competition is not going to be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium due to its ongoing renovation by the Edo Government.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the winner of 2017 competition, Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, have been drawn against Eagles Wings FC in their first match.
Football Stakeholders across the state also used the draws to brainstorm on how to improve the quality of the competition, with the view of taking the game to the grassroots.