The sixth edition of U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament ended at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Sports Centre, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, southwest Nigeria amid pomp on Sunday with Varsity Football Academy from Lagos Island stealing the show to cart home the coveted trophy of the championship.

The final ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries from the government and the private sector lived up to expectations with glamour and side attractions, was another moment from the kids from Varsity Football Academy who fought their ways to the final amid tough opposition. God of soccer, however, gave them the day with an early penalty kick, a few seconds into the match, that gave them the lone goal of the hard-fought victory over B. Unit from Mainland

The winning team were spoiled by the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited with the star prize of N750,000 with other assorted gifts. second-place winners, B. Unit boys were rewarded with the sum of N500,000. Strong Dove from Orile who beat First Class Boys from Lagos 3-1 in the third place match were given the sum of N350,000, while the fourth position got the sum of N250,000.

Three understanding players were also rewarded with N25,000 each. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Abdullahi Akinremi from Varsity Boys FC, Highest Goals Scorer, Marvelous Gavor of B.Unit who scored eight goals and the Best Goalkeeper, Varsity Boys’ Alex Peter.

Dignitaries, among whom were Dr. Olusegun Olugboyegun, the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited, his wife, and others who included some notable Nigerian ex-internationals, watched the final with enthusiasm and praised the soccer artistry displayed by the two finalists with the submission that JOF Nigeria Limited’s efforts to identify with the youths and discovered football talent from the grassroots is paying off.

In his post-match remarks, Dr. Olugboyegun, while commending the new Champions and other participating teams f, praised the organizers, the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and the Organising Committee for putting in place a commendable 6th U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament.

He noted that the frenzy that the competition has generated since its first edition, is a testimony of his strong believe in the youngsters of this country, adding what the youths need to excel is the support and enabling environment.

He disclosed that the sponsor won’t rule out extending the scope of the tournament beyond Lagos State, most especially to the states in the southwest Nigeria.

“For the past six editions, we have seen how far we have been able to impact our youngsters in Lagos State. This is commendable and this gives up the motivation to take the tournament to the next level by giving teams from the southwest region the chance to feature in the JOF Kids Cup,” he said.

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Sports Council, will organise a Sports Administration Course for key stakeholders in the sports sector.

The course will be held from April 23 to April 25, 2025, at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The participants are expected to arrive on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and depart on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The Sports Administration Course is an introductory training programme open to elected officials and paid NO staff members, the National Federations (NFs), club managers, physical education teachers, sports journalists, and other individuals or organisations responsible for developing sports.

The course has been designed using a framework and manual provided by Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) educational arm.

The objective is to reach a broad audience and share insights about the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Games, and sports organisation management.

Participants will gain knowledge of the Olympic values, the principles of good governance, and effective organisational management, all of which aim to enhance the support provided to athletes.

This initiative, part of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global educational programmes through Olympic Solidarity and the NOC, would seek to empower sports administrators with essential tools and knowledge to drive development and excellence within their organisations.

The 2025 edition specifically targets stakeholders from State Sports Councils/Commissions and Institutions of higher learning.

The programme will be delivered on-site and virtually and facilitated by two IOC-certified National Course Directors, Mr Emmanuel Nweri and Dr (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko—with support from Mrs Chidobi Deborah, the NOC Project Officer, and other distinguished speakers, including:

* Prof. Fasan Clement, Programme Director, IOC Advanced Sports Management Course

* Dr Akin Amao, Former Chairman/Member of NOC Medical & Scientific Commission

* Prof. Dominic Leah Funmilayo, University of Ilorin

* Prof. Abiodun Moronfolu, Lagos State University

* Mr Oyebode Oluseyi, CEO, Dynaspro Sports Academy

*Dean, School of Physical and Health Education & Special Education,
Edo State College of Education, Afuze Campus, Edo State. – Dr.Oyahkire Rasheed

The course will be officially declared open by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel in the company of Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture, Jigawa State.

BY ADELU PRAISE DEBORAH

Just as it did for the 2024 edition, the sponsor of the annual U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament, JOF Nigeria Limited, has announced the sum of N1,925,000 as prize monies to be given to winners in the 6th edition of the grassroots soccer championship which final will hold on Sunday 27 April, 2025.

Speaking earlier on Thursday at the corporate headquarters of JOF Nigeria Limited on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos southwest Nigeria, Mr Adeyinka Adetunji, Director of Strategic Support Services of the company told a media conference that the firm has set a very good standard for the grassroots football tourney last year with handsome rewards for excellence for the winners coupled with an exciting and glamorous final ceremony held at the University of Lagos (Unilag) Sports Centre in Akoka, Lagos, hence any package for the winners this year of the 6th edition must not be low.

Adetunji therefore unveiled the sum of N250,000 for the fourth-place winners. N350,000 will go to the third place, while the second-place winners will pocket the sum of N500,000.

“The winners of the 6th edition of U-13 JOF Kids Cup will go home with the sum of N750,000. We also monetary rewards for individual awards such as the Best Goalkeeper (N25,000), Highest Goal Scorer (N25,000) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament who will pocket the sum of N25,000,” Adetunji said.

The JOF Nigeria Limited’s manager also announced the 27 April 2025 date for the final ceremony scheduled at the Unilag Sports Centre in Akoka, Yaba. He also disclosed that of the 64 teams that started the 6th edition on 16 February 2025, four teams would be on display during the final ceremony.

He said: “Strong Dove of Orile will trade tackles against 1st Class FC of Lagos Island for the third-place prize, while the final match will be a titanic battle between B. Unit Boys of Mainland and Versity Boys of Lagos Island.”

Some of the kids participating in the U-13 JOF Kids Cup

Adetunji applauded the support the tournament has been receiving from the sporting press since the first edition, just as he also commended various private companies which have been given services and product support to the tournament.

“This support has kept us going to give these kids a future in the round leather game. We are so much grateful. I want to assure you that the final ceremony this year will be more glamorous than what we saw last year,” Adetunji said.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament is organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.