The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged football administrators to conduct talent hunts at the grassroots level to discover budding stars who could represent Nigeria in the future.
He assured that measures would be put in place to make the Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup an annual tournament, where young talents could be identified and nurtured to restore the glory days of Nigerian football.
Senator Akpabio made this known as the second edition of the 10th Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup commenced in Abuja.
Twenty-one teams, comprising sixteen male and five female teams from across the country, arrived in the nation’s capital on Saturday ahead of the competition, which kicked off on Sunday at the Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja.
Represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Senator Akpabio described the young players as future stars who could go on to represent Nigeria at both continental and global football competitions.
According to the Senate President, sports—and football in particular—cannot thrive if the grassroots are neglected. He said,
“With these young men showcasing their talents, this is the future of Nigeria, and there is no way you can grow sports if we don’t go to the grassroots.
“In times past the Late Keshis, the Okochas, the Kanus, the Amokachis, the Ikpebas and the Tijani Babangidas, who brought glory to Nigeria, were discovered in these kinds of tournaments.
“I have seen tremendous signal from President Bola Tinubu in putting sports at the forefront; therefore, sports administrators must key into this opportunity that the President has shown in the last two years. It should not be business as usual,” he said.
Senator Akpabio commended the Grassroots Sports Federation, GRASOF, for their tireless efforts in organising the competition and described the tournament as a vital opportunity to develop the sports sector, ensuring a brighter future for young football talents.
In his welcome remarks, tournament coordinator Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong expressed gratitude to Senator Akpabio for recognising the importance of such competitions in youth and sports development. He highlighted the benefits of holding the tournament annually, noting that it would provide a platform for teenagers to nurture their football careers.
“This will ensure that future generations of Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this platform, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and national development. We believe that with your leadership, this tournament can become a flagship event for the Senate, inspiring and empowering Nigerian youth for years to come,” he said.
In the opening game, Jaguar Football Club of Abia State defeated Amahus Football Club of Yobe 1–0. The competition continues at the Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja.
