Ghana for Ramat Cup

NO fewer than three teams from Ghana, Norway and Togo would join Nigerian sides to battle for honours at this year?s Ramat Cup Under-16 Boys and Girls football tournament, which kicks off February 19 through 26 at the U J Esuene stadium in Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria.

The Ramat Cup, organised in memory of slain former Military Ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed, rates as one of the best youth tournament in Nigeria and it was originally billed to hold in Oshogbo, Oshun state but the government backed out at the 11th hour, citing reasons bothering on insufficient fund.

But the Cross River state government, opted to foot the bills of the event and it would be the second time that Calabar will play host to young and budding football players in one week of raw soccer displays in the Canaan Land.

Speaking on plans to midwife a successful tournament, Publicist of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Ben Ekpo, said efforts are in top gear to bring out the best from the players during the tournament.

He lauded the government in Cross River for providing a forum for young players to show their talents through the Ramat Cup.

?This is the second time that Calabar would be hosting the Ramat Cup and it says a lot about the concern of the government there to develop football from the grassroots?, Ekpo said.