TheCable

About 1,000 schools across Nigeria are competing in this year’s National Principal’s Cup — which enters its second year since it was revived by Sunday Dare, the sports minister.

The competition, which started on Thursday at state level, would proceed to the zonal finals.

According to the organisers, the second edition aims to replicate the success of the maiden outing last year which had budding footballer like Onuche Ogbelu who later represented Nigeria at the WAFU U-20 tourney where the Flying Eagles won gold.

Ogbelu represented champion FOSLA Academy at the maiden Principal’s Cup and thereafter signed for NPFL side, Nassarawa United.

On Friday, the sports minister also said his administration would prioritise grassroots football as the fulcrum of his mandate on youth development.

“We have had to plan for this competition amidst our very tight schedules in the ministry with the National Sports Festival in sight. However, we have a clear vision to keep unearthing and nurturing talents because for our sports to keep growing, the production pipeline must keep running,” he said.

The state finals will hold between November 24 and 26, 2022.

After the state finals, the competition will move to the zonal level between December 11 and 15 while the national finals will hold between January 18 and 22, 2023.