The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Football Tournament

  • Nigeria to host invitational football tournament in December

    Nigeria to host invitational football tournament in December

    3D Sports has  announced  plans to host a landmark international invitational football tournament  among some notable African national teams in December.

    The initiative, titled “The Motherland Heritage Cup”, is designed to commemorate African heritage, promote global unity  and celebrate the collective “return to the motherland.”

    Organisers  said the project is fully supported by the Federal  Government  and has also received the gracious endorsement of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who will serve as the initiative’s official Patron.

    The Senate President recognized the initiative as a major foreign diplomacy tool, cultural and economic driver, perfectly aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through its focus on cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and economic revitalization.

    To ensure the highest global standards, the tournament has secured the full support of the National Sport Commission (NSC) and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

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    Both bodies will collaborate closely with the organizers, ensuring all aspects of the competition are conducted strictly according to FIFA standards for world-class delivery. An International FIFA match agent, Mr. Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sports has been engaged to coordinate the tournament to ensure world class standards.

    Project Director, Ayodeji Ogunjobi, emphasized the transformative potential of the event: “This tournament is aimed squarely at boosting the economy with the anticipated influx of people into the country.

    “It is also an opportunity to show the world that Nigeria is more than capable of organizing world-class sporting events on a global stage.

    “Crucially, it creates something significant for sports lovers to look forward to and attend, offering a healthy and engaging alternative to traditional entertainment like parties and concerts,” he added.

    The event is set to feature a unique blend of cultural immersion and elite competition, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a major player in African sports and cultural affairs. Further details regarding participants and other key information would be released in the coming weeks.

  • FCT hosts football tournament ahead Abuja international carnival

    FCT hosts football tournament ahead Abuja international carnival

    Ahead of the Abuja International Carnival scheduled for November 23-25, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced a government and private secondary schools tournament as part of activities leading to the main event. 

    The pre-event tournament is tagged FCT Junior Secondary School Football tournament.

    The tournament will hold from October 14-18..

    According to the organisers, the tournament will commence with the Round of 16 and proceed directly to the final. 

    The participating schools will represent Gwagwalada Area Council and AMAC (Abuja Municipal Area Council) and all matches will be held in the two area councils respectively (Government day Secondary school, Gwagwalada and Government Secondary School, Tundun-Wada), while the semifinal and finals will be played at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.”

    The organisers added: “The FCT Junior Secondary School Football Tournament serves as a pre-event for the Abuja International Carnival 2024, showcasing the vibrant talent of young athletes while promoting the broader mission of the carnival; unity, cultural preservation, and community engagement.”

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    On the importance of the tournament, they explained: “The competition will also highlight the role of sports in youth development, encouraging teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition among the students, while the carnival amplifies the messages of unity and national pride.”

    Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Carnival, Mallam Yankee said: “The tournament is designed to foster youth engagement, sportsmanship, and promote unity among junior secondary schools in both public and private sectors within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.”

    Speaking at the official draw ceremony for the tournament which held at the FCT Education Secretariat Hall, Utako, Mallam Yankee affirmed that the tournament would further create awareness and promote the culture of sports among young talents in the FCT. 

    During the draw, the  participating schools were introduced properly to their group stage matchups.

    Group stage matches are expected  

    to be played on October 14th to at Abaji: Government Day Secondary School; Kwali: Government Secondary School; Gwagwalada: Government Day Secondary School; Kuje: Government Secondary School; Bwari: Government Secondary School; AMAC: Government Secondary School, Tundun-Wada.

    While the quarterfinals would  be played on October 15th, the semifinals would hold on October 16th. The finals and 3rd place would be played on October 18th.

    Participating schools include JSS Kwali, JSS Kilankwa, JSS Bako, ADJSS Asokoro, JSS Jabi, JSS Karu, JSS Hajj Camp, JSS Angwa-Dodo, JSS Gwako, JSS Dutse Sagwari, JSS Zuba, JSS Kubwa, Kuje: JSS Kuje, JSS Pasali, JSS Kayarda,JSS Kekeshi, JSS Abaji, JSS Sabo Gari and many others. 

    Also to participate in the tournament are some select private schools from all the area councils in the FCT.

    Mallam Yankee assured FCT residents of a successful tournament and a carnival never seen before in the country.

    Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa hailed the initiative, stating that such an event will further promote the message of social cohesion and national pride.

    Brands supporting the football competition are Kairoshof Powerhorse, Maikaros, Malula water 

    and G1 Luxury Homes.

  • Winners emerge at Cohesion Football Tournament

    Winners emerge at Cohesion Football Tournament

    Heritage Football Academy and FC Phoenix Queens emerged winners of the fifth edition of the Cohesion Football Tournament recently concluded in Lagos.

    The annual community tournament aimed at engaging talented grassroots children across different local government areas in Lagos and Ogun States  competition  was held at the Union Bank Stable in  Surulere  between December 19th  and 20th.

    This year, the competition broadened its scope to include 42 teams, incorporating 16 new male teams, and marking a historic moment with the introduction of 10 female teams for the first time in the tournament’s history.

    In the male category, Heritage Football Academy from Abule Egba claimed the top spot, securing a prize of N500,000, Ablaze Football Academy from Ikorodu] came second and won a sum of N300,000, in third place was Unstoppable FA from Makoko who went home with the sum of N200,000.

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    FC Phoenix Queens from Orile won the inaugural  female competition and walked home with the sum of N500,000, Wazbak International Queens came second with a gift prize of N300,000 and Unification Ladies came third and won a sum of N200, 000.

    The tournament’s most valuable player for female was Taiwo Ayomide of ‘Ablaze FC  who went home with a school scholarship prize of N100,000.

    The tournament drew the presence of football enthusiasts and celebrities, including former Super Eagles player Victor Agali and popular social media personality Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo known as Mr Macaroni.

    Cohesion Football Tournament, which launched in December 2019 with only 12 teams from Mushin and Surulere LGA,  has grown to become one of the biggest and most impactful youth focused, grassroots football initiatives in Nigeria over the years.