Soliu Owoyabu, Abeokuta
On the Day1 of the 3rd SWAN Security/Safety Cup organized by the Ogun state chapter of Sport Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the defending champion of the 2nd Edition, Nigeria Customs Service will face Nigeria Immigration Service in the opening match of the competition by 10:00am at the MKO Abiola Main Bowl.
The Official Draw/Press Conference of the competition held on Friday 30th of September, 2023 at the Association’s Secretariat, MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to the organizer, “the competition will commence on Wednesday 4th of October, 2023 and the Final was tentatively scheduled to hold on Friday 27th of October, 2023.
Also at the Day 1 of the Competition, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will face Department of State Service (DSS) at 12noon while Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) will face Ogun Forestry Guard at 2:00pm.
Meanwhile, the State chairman of the Association, Micheal-Azeez Ogunsiji, in his opening remarks, he appreciated all participants and revealed the aims and objectives of organizing the competition.
He implored the participants to abide by the rules and regulations of the competition and try as much as possible to sensitize their supporters before, during and after the competition in order not to onrush both the organizers and those that will officiate the matches.
According to Ogunsiji “Our aims and objectives of this competition is to allow security agencies to be engaged in exercise so that they can be physically and mentally sound. We Also organized this Competition to create synergy among the security agencies in the state.
“I want to tell you that, the competition is not a do or die and i want to urge you to avoid using of machinery for the competition. I also want to urged you to warn your supporters not to assault the Referees and the organizers and try as much as possible to mobilize your officers to stadium.
He however, disclosed the available prizes that would be presented at the closing ceremony of the competition.
He said “There is 22 medals that will be given to both the players and the officials of the team that will be eventually emerged as winner and the second runner. There is best Goal keeper Award, Most Fair play Award, Highest goal scorer Award and Best Coach Award.
The Eleven participants were grouped into Three groups of A,B and C.
GROUP A
1. NIGERIA CUSTOMS
2. AMOTEKUN
3. NIGERIA IMMIGRATION
4. NIGERIA CORRECTIONAL SERVICE
GROUP B
1. NIGERIA POLICE FORCE
2. SO SAFE
3. DSS
4. FIRE SERVICE
GROUP C
1. NSCDC
2. TRACE
3. FORESTRY