The first whistle at the competition will be blown 4 days from today and with the draw for the tournament set for August 23, the Organizing Committee Coordinator has reported good preparations for a mind-blowing competition.

2022 ValueJet Invitational Pre-Season Football Championship, will take home total prize monies of N3.5Million, with the champions going away with a cash prize of N2 Million, the first runners up take home N1Million and third place team get N500,000.

Badawiy said, “Preparations are going well as planned. From the onset, there have been communications between the Organising Committee and ValueJet.”

“The number of days that the competition would take place promises moments of exciting football at this year’s Tournament.”

Badawiy thanked Hon Kunle Soname for his financial and moral support in ensuring that this year’s event becomes a reality.

“Hon Kunle Soname is a Sports loving man. On behalf of my committee members, I’m using this medium to thank him for his support.”

“He deserves an applause for working around the deck to ensure that we don’t lack anything. The crucial role of my team of organizing committee gives me joy.

The money spinning tournament will take place from August 24th to September 3rd at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Remo Stars, Kwara United, Lobi Stars, Plateau United, Niger Tornadoes, 3SC and Sunshine Stars have already confirmed their participation for the competition.

Others are Gateway United, Bayelsa United, Ijebu United, Bendel Insurance and Vandrezzer.

The venue of the tournament is Remo Stars Stadium.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Otunba Tade Azeez disclosed that the prestigious preseason tournament will feature top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs.

“We have invited 18 clubs to participate in the tournament, and we are offering them the platform to prepare for the new season. We appreciate ValueJet for coming on board, and we have put together a solid Organizing Committee to deliver a top-notch tournament,” said Azeez.

The winner of this year’s edition of the ValueJet Cup will cash home Two Million Naira (N2,000,000), the first runners-up and second runners-up will be rewarded with a cash prize of One Million Naira (N1,000,000), and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) respectively. 

All the participating clubs will get Two Hundred and Fifty Thousands Naira (N250,000) as appearance fees that will ease the club’s logistics.  

“We are investing ValueJet sponsorships to support the clubs, we want them to experience a top-quality preseason tournament and our objective is to ensure the clubs have the best preparation ahead of the new season, especially for our clubs that will participate in the continent. We have cash prizes in millions and all the participating clubs will get an appearance fee to make their preparation easy,” Azeez added. 

The Organizers have confirmed Mr. Bashir Badawiy and Mr. Oye Bawala as the Tournament Coordinators. 

The General Manager of Kwara United FC Mr Bashir Badawiy, an Irah, Kwara State born football administrator has been rated high by football administrators in Nigeria following a successful Gov Wike Preseason Tournament held in Portharcourt, Rivers State.

Despite the challenges faced by sports including the shutdown occasioned by Covid19 and economic crises posed this year, Badawiy who is called the realist manager organized an exemplary Tournament in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria.

Preseason is a tournament meant for shaping up teams and make them battle ready when the league and other national and continental engagements commenced.

Rivers United emerged champions after beating Bayelsa United 4-3 on penalties in the final.

On this note, the former Team Coordinator at Rivers United was praised and commended as a result of his management skills and experience over the years for the successful tournament hosted by Rivers State Government.

Kadiri Ikanah:

The CAF Champions league winner and the former Super Falcons head coach said he’s very impressed with the organisation and happy with the level of professionalism put in the tournament.

Gbenga Ogunbote, Sunshine Stars FC head coach spoke high of the tournament.

“This tournament is a good way to get to know what exactly you have at your disposal. Seeing a non league side giving Rivers United a run for their money shows how the organisers has gone to making it worthy”

Davis Gabriel, the proprietor of the Ottasolo International took his team for the tournament and won the best team of the tournament with series of professionalism that shows in the team’s performance.

“The tournament gave our players the platform to participate with the best in the Nigeria League and of course helps to elevate the club and the players career.”

Tijani Babaginda:

The Olympic Gold medalist and the President of National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers was amazed with the level of organisations and also to show support for players playing in the local league.

“We are working hard to make sure the players get better welfare and also the good news is that we are now one but I must commend the organisers especially Bashir Badawiy and his team”

Boma Iyaye:

The Commissioner of Sports and Youths Development Hon. Boma Iyaye said he was very satisfied with the tournament and also gave kudos to the former Rivers United team coordinator Mr Bashir Badawiy and his team.

Hon Honour Sirawo:

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry of Youths and Sports Development who doubles as the President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)

Hon. Sirawo gave his remarks that the game was very competitive and applauded of fair play being displayed throughout the tournament. He concluded by appreciating the Coordinator of the tournament and his team.

Alloy Chukwuemeka:

The Secretary of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL Club Owners praised Bashir Badawiy and his team for a job well done as regards the organisation of the tournament.

Popularly known as Thuraya, Mallam Idris 12 months ago stunned many people when he beat up competition from top men in the State to emerge winner as the Kwara FA Chairman.

Thuraya made it clear before the election that he would win claiming that he has done his home work property which made him the most qualified and preferred candidate.

He did not just win the election, but he won convincingly and he has proven over the last 365 days that his coming on board was what Kwarans should have had for years considering the developments in football in the State.

United celebrate hardworking Thuraya for his contributions to football in the State which has started as far back as 1980s.

“Congratulations on your one year anniversary in office Thuraya and the entire board members of the Kwara Football Association.

“You have indeed demonstrated a high level of commitment to take Football to a great height with your uncommon transformation so far and we are proud of you,” Kwara United explained in a statement.

Meanwhile, some of the achievements of Mallam Idris in the last one year is Under 15 Governor’s Cup to mark 100 days in office of His Excellency, total renovation and completion of the Kwara FA House, partnership with Owu Sports to kit all 16 Local Government, distribution of football game materials and equipments to all 16 Local Government, payment of affiliation fees of congress member associations to their national body e.g (Kwara state Referee Council and NFCA Kwara State).