The maiden edition of the Bishop Own Nwokolo U-21 Football Tournament amongst all the Dioceses on the Niger Provinces is set to kick off, organisers have exclusively told Exclusivenews.com.ng.

The tournament is open to talented young players of the Anglican Church faith withing Niger Diocese.

Although no date has been fixed for its official kick off, both local and Main Organising Committees have been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the tournament.

Exclusivenews.com.ng checks reveal that the tournament will be bankrolled by a United Kingdom, UK based legal practitioner and Football freak, Robinson Izuchukwu.

According to Sir Victor Nwangwu, an ex Rangers and former Secretary of Anambra State Football Association who is Diocese on the Niger Director of Sports, all the Archdeaconries in the Diocese have been mandated to raise their teams ready for screening ahead the tournament's kick off.

Sir Nwangwu further stated that organisers are determined to ensure that every talented Anglican youth footballer from every DON Archdeaconry is given the opportunity to be selected.

On the competition's format, Nwangwu said that at the Archdeaconry level, all Archdeaconries shall organize their internal competitions from across all Youth Organisations and select their 25-man team who must be Anglicans within 21 years of age or under.

"At the Diocesan level, the 20 Archdeaconries will be drawn into Four Groups of five teams each, which will play a round-robin matches against each other. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter finals.

"The final and closing ceremony will be a mega DIiocesan event on a date to be chosen by the Diocese.

"The prizes to be won will be announced by the sponsor and will be communicated to the teams by the Main Organizing Committee MOC".

Sir Nwangwu further revealed that no fewer than 30 or 35 players would be selected during the tournament, adding that the selected players would be groomed and put in top conditions ready for the European tour.

"We're looking at selecting 30-35 players adjudged to be the most talented ones during the competition and they will be vigorously groomed to be in top physical and technical conditions for the European trip", Sir Nwangwu emphasised.

He revealed that top priority will be placed on players real age during the screening.

"To ensure that our standards are not compromised, there will be a screening of the players to certify that they are 21 years or under and that they are all Anglicans", Nwangwu sounded. 

"Successful players will pose for a photograph with the head of the screening team. Only players found in the team's photograph will be deemed eligible to participate in the competition".

At their inaugural meeting on March 25, the Main Organising Committee, MOC, decided that players age limit is 21 years and shall be proved with National Identity Card (NIN) and that all players shall be Anglicans and will be proved with baptismal certificates.

MOC also agreed that each team is allowed a wild card of only two players who must not be more than 23 years old, just as teams shall register a maximum of 25 players.

"Players with dreadlock, earrings or tattoos are already disqualified even if they meet all other conditions".

The tournament's MOC also disclosed that screening of players will be conducted based on the parameters set up by MOC with successful players posing for a group photograph with the screening team.

"This will be used for identification of players during matches".

Two venues have been approved for the competition. They are
All Saints Cathedral pitch and St Andrews Basilica (Central School) field, Onitsha.