Olubadan Cup 2020: 3SC, Crown FC, Others Get Wild Cards

Olubadan Cup 2020: 3SC, Crown FC, Others Get Wild Cards

By Our Editor

Determined to make its affiliate clubs compete with the best players in the country, Ibadan Football Association (IFA) has granted wild cards to top division club sides willing to feature in the 46th edition of the "Royal Rumble " Olubadan Cup.

"Wild Card" is an opportunity given to a team to enter into a competition without going through the normal process like paying registration fee.

IFA boss, Barrister Rotimi Alli, explained that when players of affiliate clubs of IFA and other Ibadan clubs compete against players from the NNL and Nationwide Leagues like 3SC, Crown FC and others from outside the state, it will boost their self-confidence and raise the standard of their game.

Alli, who spoke at IFA's post-lockdown press conference recalled with nostalgia how a 5-day old IFA selected-side (Ibadan Lions) humbled Crown FC in the 2019 Governor Seyi Makinde pre-Season tournament and emerged third place winners, stated that such exposure was vital to development of grassroots soccer.

He said further that the IFA teams stood to gain more because their players' talents would be exposed to officials and scouts of the top division clubs who may sign such players. This, he added would benefit both teams mutually.

Citing examples, the IFA boss disclosed that Saki United and Police Machine players were signed by 3SC as a result of the players ' high grade performance when the teams clashed with 3SC during IFA League 2019.

While restating his board's commitment to taking football to greater heights in Ibadanland, Alli admonished the clubs to register early for the competition to kick-off as scheduled.