The chairman, Local Organising Committee of the maiden edition of FWC Champions Secondary School Football Tournament, Mr. Promise Uwaeme, has debunked rumour making round that the organisers of the tournament deliberately excluded private schools from the competition, bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Mr Uwaeme who was reacting to reports alleging that private schools were not included in the tournament, Thursday made clarification on the lingering issue.

The LOC chairman said that the clarification became necessary following umbrage expressed by some individuals and private schools in protest of their snub from the admirable competition.

He explained that as a new competition, the organisers decided to start with public schools in the meantime adding that because it was a new tournament, the LOC did not want to bite more than it can chew.

Mr Uwaeme therefore appealed to all private schools to bear with them in the first edition as effort will be made to expand the competition subsequently after review of the maiden edition.

“I must confess that we are overwhelmed by the interest in this competition which we appreciate and will not take for granted.

“There is no deliberate attempt to deprive students in the private schools this golden opportunity, it is important to make it clear.

“We are aware of the protests by some individuals and private schools, a situation we regret and promise to put into consideration ahead of the coming tournament.

“The reason we settled for public schools is because we want to begin small and we had the Secondary Education Board on ground to help us with the coordination.

“I must confess to you that a lot of experience has been gained from this edition and it will help us going forward which will give us the leverage to engage private schools.

“Also, we felt we should give children in the public schools this opportunity, knowing how less-privilege they are, compared to those in the private schools. However, we promise to get back to the management of FWC Champions FC so as to plan against this next year.”

“Again, I want to call for calm as we get along with the first edition that is on-going at the moment,” he told bestchoicesports.com.ng.

However, the draws for the finals of the tournament will be held, today Thursday, October 17 at the Counselling Room, FWC Worship Centre by midday.