The third edition of the annual Monfes FesDrine/Anambra FA All Stars Football Competition gets underway June 1 with holders, Mutu Memorial All Stars, Onitsha taking on Evergreen All Stars at the Awka City Stadium, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

The gritty opening fixture was thrown up Tuesday when draws for the tournament was conducted inside the Corporate Headquarters of Anambra State Football Association, Udoka Housing Estate, Awka.

Monfes Pharmaceuticals Limited, makers of the Fest Drine Anti Malaria drug, are the official sponsors of the 2025 edition of the tournament exclusively reserved for retired players of 40 years and above.

During the colourful ceremony conducted by the Secretary of Anambra State Football Association, Ralph Nweke, Chief Uzor Epundu, a former Vice Chairman of ANSFA and member of the Main Organising Committee, urged all the participating clubs to ensure that discipline and strict adherence to the rules of the game becomes their watch word.

"During the second edition last year, there was no single petition from any of the club's and this ensured that the competition ran smoothly, free of rancour", Enugu, an NPFL Match Commissioner noted.

"While those of us at the organisation level promise to ensure we did our best to ensure level playing ground for everyone, I want to explore us to bear in mind that no one is perfect.

"Therefore, we should be sportsman's enough to see and accept any perceived shortcoming as human error borne out of human imperfection", Chief Epundu admonished.

Similarly, Mrs Cordelia Akanna, a board member of the ANSFA urged the clubs to ensure their teams conducted themselves according to the rules and regulations governing association football.

Mrs Akanna, a retired referee, commended the sponsors for bankrolling the competition in a bid to provide a platform for ex footballers to exercise and meet old colleagues as well as have fun.

Tournament sponsor, Chief Festus Odungwo, Chief Executive Officer, CEO,
Manfes Pharmaceuticals Ltd who was represented by Obinna Ndema, said he threw his financial weight behind the All Stars tournament based on his passion for the sport.

He pleaded for the participants to leverage on his magnanimity and as well ensure that it turns out a 'win-win' event for both teams, organisers and sponsor.

"What the sponsor wants is a smooth competition where everyone will come to enjoy. At the same time, it's important for all to spread the gospel of FesDrine as an anti malaria drug for those around.

"That's just the mileage the sponsor wants", Ndema said before announcing the improved financial package for the winning teams in the 2025 edition of the tournament.

"Last year, the star prize was N1m but this time around, Monfes has increased the winning prize to N1.5m with the runners-up receiving N700, 000 as against last year's N500, 000.

"Besides, there are N50, 000 rewards each for the Best Behaved Team, Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and above all, the adjudged best team during the opening ceremony March past will also receive N50, 000 cash", the sponsor's representative disclosed.

27 All teams drawn from all parts of Anambra State are taking part in the 2025 edition of the tournament which kicks off on June 1 with Metu  Memorial Secondary School All Stars team taking on Evergreen FC in the opening match billed for the Awka City Stadium.