Shell Cup semis, finals return to Lagos

THE organisers of the yearly NNPC/Shell Cup All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship have decided to return to Lagos for the semi-finals and final of this year's championship.At a briefing organised last year to herald the kick-off of the 14th edition, the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, was named as venue for the semi-finals and final matches, but due to the nationwide strike, which prompted the change of dates, the organisers have now chosen the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos for the matches.Also, for the proximity to teams that will compete in the quarter-finals, four centres across the country have been designated for the matches. According to a statement made available to The Guardian and signed by the Secretary General of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph, the four centres were chosen to ensure that teams are not too far from their bases.The quarter-finals scheduled to hold in March will have Ilorin Township Stadium, the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, Kano Pillars Stadium and Akure Township Stadium as venues. The successful teams are expected to arrive on March 12 and depart on March 15.The yearly tourney, which has produced some of Nigeria's notable stars, will have over 120,000 students in this year's edition. According to the HSE Vice President and Corporate Affairs of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Tony Attah, the company is poised to keep faith with its resolve to continue supporting grassroots sports development in the country.
Click here to read full news..