Ideye expresses joy at Challenge success

Brown Ideye, sponsor of the Brown Ideye Challenge, says the maiden edition of the competition exceeded his expectations.
He disclosed after the final match that it gave him extreme pleasure watching the determination and happiness on the faces of players and officials as they jostled for the trophy.
His words: “When the idea of the tournament was conceived I never expected such success at the maiden edition.
“Seeing those boys play at the final really touched me a lot because I have been through that road before and I know how it is. It was joy seeing them play and having fun.
“When I had this plan with China Acheru about a year back, really I didn’t know it could be this successful. I am really happy about it.”
The Super Eagles forward wants more tournaments of this nature organised regularly to help groom talented players and provide them opportunity.
“Today I saw some wonderful players and I would say if we can have these tournaments regularly it would boost the boys’ morale and it would help them grow. So I would say it is important to have a tournament like this every year.”
Ideye said he plans to make the Challenge bi-annual, and he is open to sponsors and partners to help lift football at the grassroots.
A&B Academy emerged champions of the maiden edition, beating Garden City Panthers 2-1 in the final played at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
Garden City Academy of Sports finished third after beating Academy Football SKE 1-0 in the losers’ final.