Lagos – The Lagos State Football Association (FA) on Thursday said it was set to be part of the Youdan Trophy tournament in Sheffield, U.K. in August

A board member of the FA, Wale Joseph, said in a statement in Lagos that the invitational tournament would feature the state’s representative Eko Future Stars FC.

The statement added that other notable clubs from across the world would also participate in the tournament.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Eko Future Stars, which is Lagos FA’s developmental football team, is set to be part of the 2016 Youdan Trophy tournament this summer in Sheffied, U. K.

“The invitational tournament will also see the likes of Seattle Sounders FC, FC Basel, Glasgow Celtic FC, Queens Park Rangers,
Sheffield Wednesday and their city rivals, Sheffield United participating.

“All the mentioned clubs are to take part in the over 100-year-old tournament.

“At the draws held early in May, Eko Future Stars will be playing in Group C in the U-16 category alongside Glasgow Celtic of
Scotland, Royal Antwerp of Belgium and Sheffield Wednesday of England,’’ it said.

The statement added that Group A will see Derby County, Sheffield United, FC Basel, JHR Rotterdamm, Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic, Seattle Sounders and the other Africa teams in the tournament.

“Also, Friendly Academy will compete in Group B, while Group D has Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Rosenborg BK and Maiden City’’.

The statement said that Dotun Coker, Chairman, Technical Committee of the Lagos FA, disclosed that the team had commenced preparation for the tournament with weekend training.

It said that the team would move to camp sometimes in July after schools’ long vacation, adding that its involvement was to further develop the boys.

“Football legend and Welsh international football hero, John Hartson, joined forces with Michael Appleton former Manchester United
player and now Oxford United manager.

“They were both at the draws held at the National Football Museum in Manchester on Thursday, May 19, where they expressed believe that the tournament will unfold future world soccer stars.

“At the draw which was streamed live around the globe are some of the biggest clubs on the planet presenting teams for the international football tournament.

“The tournament will hold between Aug. 1 and Aug. 5 and will be played at Sheffield, the birthplace of the game of football in August. (NAN)