The organisers of the an
nual youths competition — FAB 5 Football Challenge — on Thursday restated their commitment to sponsoring outstanding footballers to pursue their educational career at all levels.
A former executive member, Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Deji Tinubu,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the move was to bridge the gap between education and football.
He spoke against the backdrop of the last edition of the tournament held from January 26 to February 5 and had 48 schoolsparticipating.
The Five-A-Side competition was sponsored by Dufil Prima Foods Ltd. in partnership with Sportvision.
Tinubu, who is also the Managing Director of Sportvision, said the competition had taken more kids off the streets since its inception in 2011.
“This competition has been a life changing experience for many children over the years and this year will not be an exception.
“Some participants will benefit from scholarship to further their education to any level they want to attain.
“This will also ensure that they get good contract instead of enslaving themselves out of ignorance,’’ he said.
The competition’s Coordinator, Dare Amokeodo,said that the tournament would continue to produce new breed of footballers.
“We intend to continue with the work we started some years ago by producing new footballers that will combine their career with education.
“By doing this, the players will be able to fall back on education when football fails,’’ Amokeodo, who is the founder of Pet-Bamok Company said.
Head of Public Relation and Events of Dufil Prima, makers of Indomie, Tope Asiwaju, said that the competition was part of the company’s social corporate responsibility to the society.
Asiwaju said that the company would continue to sponsor the event because of the caliber of organisers of the competition.
The Lagos State representative of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Olu Akapo, commended the organisers of the event.
He said that it was through such an event that the state would develop sports at the grassroots.
“I commend the organisers of this competition for involving primary school pupils.
“To start with primary school is a very good initiative that should be commended and we want to thank them for giving scholarship to our pupils,’’ Akapo said.