Multi-sports National Principals Cup gets new kick-off date

THE National Principals Cup will begin in two weeks, the organisers have announced.

The Main Organising Committee of the competition stated on Thursday that the revived national competition will kick off on 26 February in Lagos.

The secondary schools competition will be officially opened with a ceremony and football match between Government College, Kaduna and Igbobi College, Lagos at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

According to the Director of Grassroots Sports in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr Ademola Are, the kick-off was postponed from 12 February in order to sort out   logistics and to ensure a hitch-free competition.

The sports ministry says the revival of the Principals Cup is one of the cardinal programmes of the minister Sunday Dare aimed at the re-invigoration of schools and grassroots sports development, and enhancement of talent discovery in the country.

Unlike in the past when only footbal was featured, other sports like table tennis, badminton,  athletics, boxing and volleyball will be competed for among the schools. 

The competition has received high-profile endorsement from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, who has instituted an award for the Most Valuable Player. 

The Ooni, who participated in the Headmasters and Principals Cup while in primary and secondary school, commended Dare  for the initiative  which he believes will cement  national unity and forge friendships among youths across the nation.