By Amaechi Agbo

The maiden edition of Fieldoo Nigeria Challenge which is slated for next month, November, has been Postponed.

The Director, Nigeria Fieldoo Challenge, Coach John Obuh disclosed this in Abuja Saturday.

Speaking with newsmen, the former U-20 national male team coach said the need to shift the challenge till first quarter of 2021 was due to prevailing circumstances in the country.

Coach Obuh further said that the challenge which was initially slated to hold from 5th to 11th November, 2020 is being rescheduled due to covid-19 pandemic as well as the national unrest being experienced in the country.

“We want to inform Nigerians and the global world that the Fieldoo Nigeria Challenge has being postponed till first quarter of next year.

“There are two critical reasons we opted for a shift in dates.

“One, the current Covid-19 situation in the country is a key factor. We all know that the federal government on Thursday last two weeks lifted ban on contact sports which was a huge development for us

“But after examining the timing of the lifting of the ban and the closeness of the date of the challenge, we felt that there is no much time for the academies that have registered for the challenge to prepare adequately.

“Secondly, considering the unrest in the country which has led to killing of young Nigerians as well as looting and destruction of properties, we decided that the country is not safe enough to hold such magnitude of football scouting programme.

“So, we are shifting it till first quarter of 2021 where we believe that things will get better and Nigerians will be ready to witness one of the best scouting programmes ever in the country,” he said

Coach Obuh who commended both academies and private players who have registered for the challenge for their efforts, advised them not to lose sight of the challenge.

He encouraged them to be up in their training and schedules and assured them that a new date for the challenge will be communicated soon.