By: Mahbubat Salahudeen and Oluwademilade Ogunleye
The organizers of the highly anticipated Seals Cup have announced a major expansion to this year’s tournament, introducing a lineup of E-sports events including EA Sports (FIFA), Online Chess, and Call of Duty (COD).
Notably, no additional registration fees will be required for participation in the E-sports category.
Unlike the football tournament, there will be no limit to the number of departmental representatives in the E-sports events, which will begin with elimination rounds.
Departments will be grouped by faculties for these rounds, culminating in an elaborate grand finale. Both male and female players can compete in all E-sports categories except chess.
Winners across all three categories will receive rewards, and players are expected to adhere strictly to tournament rules.
A major update mandates that all teams (football) must wear uniform-coloured hose, including goalkeepers, with specific colours assigned upon registration. Players with the wrong hose will not be allowed to participate.
For safety of the players, each team is required to provide its own First Aid, as the organizing committee will not be responsible for medical support.
Team composition has also been specified:Male teams may register 18 players and 2 coaches, with no more than 5 DLC or Postgraduate students (in a 3:2 ratio).
Female teams are allowed 10 players and 1 coach, with no more than 2 DLC or Postgraduate students.
All participating teams must have an active social media page to promote their squad in order to enhance the visibility of UI athletes.
Each department’s Sport Secretary will serve as its FA Commissioner.
Standard football rules apply, with student referees to be considered for the group stages.
Match complaints must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee within 7 hours of the match.
Player transfers are limited to one per team, with replacements for extreme medical conditions allowed.
No merging of departments is permitted.
Match durations have also been adjusted:Male matches: 30 minutes per half. Female matches: 15 minutes per half.
Disciplinary guidelines include:Two yellow cards in the group stage (back-to-back) = one-match suspension.
Red cards during knockout stages will result in a fine or suspension, depending on the severity of the offense.
Finally, the organizers hinted at the possibility of increasing the prize money, currently set at ₦100,000, if sufficient sponsorship is secured.
