Sports
Lawmaker Sponsors U-21 Football Tourney In Lagos
In an effort to develop the youth in Lagos State, a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Adedamola Kasunmu, at the weekend unveiled the ARK Football Competition (ARK Cup) in Lagos.
Kasunmu, who is the sponsor of the competition, represents Ikeja Constituency 11 in the Assembly. He is popularly known as ARK.
A total of 32 teams drawn from different local governments in Lagos State will participate in the maiden edition of the competition to start in March.
Kasunmu, the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Youth and Social Development at the Assembly, told newsmen at the unveiling ceremony that sports remain a solution to youth restiveness.
“The tournament, which is strategically structured to showcase players within the ages of 21 and below, is targeted at discovering, promoting and empowering untapped soccer talents across the state.
“The opening ceremony/ opening game will take place on March 14 while other games in the group stages will be played between them and March 28.
“The grand finale/closing ceremony will come up on March 29, which happens to be my birthday. Most of the games will be played at the Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre (RVTC) Mini Stadium, Isheri, Ojodu Berger,’’ he said.
The sponsor said that cash prizes and other gifts would be won by the overall winner and first and second runners -up.
“It is my hope that through this competition, some Lionel Messis, Christiano Ronaldos, J.J. Okochas, Nwankwo Kanu, Dosu Josephs etc would be discovered from Lagos State in the nearest future,” he added.
The lawmaker, who noted that the event would be annual, said the tournament, being coordinated by Nigeria’s ex-international goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph, attracted youth football clubs across council areas.
Kasunmu called on corporate organisations, multinationals and philanthropists to give attention to sports development as a strategy to engage the youth positively.
“This will not only raise the standard of the game in our local leagues, it will indeed go a long way in boosting our local economy and empowering our youth,” Kasunmu said.
According to him, challenges faced by the youth across the state especially in the area of sports and social development necessitated initiation of two bills on Lagos State Sports Commission and Lagos State Sports Trust Fund in 2016.
In his remarks, Joseph, said: “ I am sure we will all witness a performance of highest quality in this competition.
“The purpose of this competition is to develop football at the grassroots and identify talents to give career opportunities in football.
Dr Kweku Tandoh, Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, urged other lawmakers to assist the commission to take sports to the grassroots for the development of the society.
Tandoh, however, urged young talents to ensure they also embraced education as they pursued careers in sports.
Seyi Akinwunmi, the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, said that football would develop with sponsorship from spirited individuals and organisations.
Akinwunmi said that the state government would soon unveil football leagues, adding that football associations across six South-West states were also working on having a regional football league.
Debo Osundun, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), who lauded Kasunmu, said that the association would continue to provide media coverage to promote grassroots football.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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