All is set for the second edition of the Peller Unity Cup (PUC) scheduled to hold later this month in Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State.
According to the organiser of the competition, Honourable Shina Peller said a total of 440 players from 20 teams in 10 Local Government areas with one trophy would compete for one trophy at the Peller Unity Football Cup so as to promote peace, unity and progress of his people – the great people of the Oke Ogun region.
Speaking at the Press Conference in Okeho, Kajola Local Government on Wednesday, the brain behind the famous football tournament, Peller Unity Cup (PUC), Peller, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency at the House of Representatives, said the competition is expected to start February 22, 2022.
He stated that PUC is not just a tournament; but it is a sporting movement to turn around Oke Ogun positively, and by extension Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
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He said PUC is an initiative that is worth associating with by everyone that is desirous of unity, peaceful coexistence, development of football talents and the youth in general while enjoying all the participants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship as they continue to promote unity, peace and progress, through the PUC, in Oke Ogun, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
“Football, being a universal language that everyone understands, helps connect people together irrespective of tribal, political or religious belief. It helps to unite people. This is what the PUC stands for; it is a unifying tool for the people of Oke Ogun.
“The idea of the PUC struck my mind in 2017 following a brainstorming session I had with some members of my team.
“Our discussion bordered on Oke Ogun as a region in Oyo State, its underdevelopment and what could have been a major contributing factor to its stagnant stage. It was during this period that it dawned on me that disunity was one of the major factors for the underdevelopment.
“As someone who is very passionate about the development of our youths, I understand the vital roles football plays in youth engagement and development. The PUC came into existence mainly for the purpose of using sporting activities, football in particular, to promote peace and spur youth empowerment and development at the grassroots. Football is a universal language and its significant role in bringing the world together cannot be overemphasized.
Also, Dosu Joseph promised the best player of the tournament europe move only if he’s good.
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Present at the briefing include, former Nigeria Internationals, Dosu Joseph, Femi Opabunmi, Oyo State Football Association (OYFA) and Oke Ogun Coaches Association, Traditional Rulers, politicians, among others.
Winners of the competition will smile home with N750,000 while the runners up and third-place team get N500,000 and N250,000. The fourth place winner will also get N100,000 while PUC will own his first eleven from the tournament.
It will be recalled that the second edition of the tournament should have been held in 2020, but due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, it had to be postponed till now.