By Jahrock Ujewe,
Chief Executive Officer of the 2019 Bet9ja Royal Cup, Johnbull Onome James has disclosed that participation on the championship by various team is a good platform for them to excel locally and internationally.
Johnbull, the head coach of Excellent Academy FC made this known while briefing newsmen at Ughelli North, Delta state
He said, “It has been noted that any grassroot club that do not participate in the 2019 edition of the Bet9ja Royal Cup competition is not helping the development of football in its locality.
With less than four days to go on the registration exercise for the championship, Johnbull Onome James, Chief Executive Officer/Head Coach Excellent Academy, Ughelli, gave this assertion in a press chat.
According to Johnbull, “it would too detrimental for grassroot teams not to enter the Royal Cup tourney, because doing so would hinder their talented players not to be seen among the best by football scouts.
He noted that grassroot coaches should not only be entertaining the thought of just playing in a competition to win the prize money, but also that of marketing their lads to the finest teams in the globe.
“It would too bad for clubs here in town(Ughelli) not to play in this tournament, because doing so will not showcase their best players,” said Coach Johnbull.
“We local coaches should just forget about playing in a tournament just to go and fight for the money for the winners. What about marketing our players? We should be concerned about transferring our players to league teams in the world.”
“At Excellent Academy, this is our target,” he stated.
The Excellent Academy boss said that he is delighted that Bet9ja agents in Delta State have taken it upon themselves to champion the revival of grassroot football in the state.
Excellent Academy will fight for bragging right with other teams in the qualifying matches in Ughelli North Local Government Area for a place in the group stage.
The draws for the 2019 Bet9ja Royal Cup will hold at Wellington Hotels in Effurun, Delta State on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.
