Sixteen football clubs and soccer academies will participates in the 3rd edition of Chief Henry Ajomale under 15 football competition organised by the Lagos state grassroots soccer association.
The grassroots tournament bankrolled by the Otunba Henry Ajomale, the state chairman of the All People Congress, APC will kick off on Saturday 14th September at the white sand mini stadium, Apapa.
Two players discovered from the previous edition of the under 15 tourney are now in the National under 17, the Golden Eagles team and more youngsters are expected to be exposed in the third edition.
According to the organisers, the Lagos state grassroots soccer association led by Prince Nurudeen Agara, this year's tournament will surpass the standard set by other grassroots event in the state and the competition will be strictly for the under 15 boys that will be thoroughly screened.
Briefing the media on Thursday in Lagos ahead of the tournament, Chief Ajomale expressed delight with the achievement of the age grade competition since it's inception in 2011.
The party chieftain was gladen with the exploit of the diacovered players who are now in the national team and he commended the association for the initiative.
"I thank God to hear that at least two of these who participated in the first edition are on the national team now and I believe that if we continue like this, we will continue to some of our youth encouraged to be an international stars. Unless we give them opportunity, you cannot know these that will make Nigeria proud.
"We just have to try and the Lagos state grassroots soccer association approached me, I love what they are doing and I decided to be part of it so that our youth can have opportunities of becoming great tomorrow and bring glory to the country. Let me also thank Alhaji Agara and his team for job well done and for volunteering to get our youth engaged".
Chief Ajomale stated further that through the the competition, a lot of youth will be encourage. While charging other well meaning individuals to support endeavour that will give youth the opportunity to excel.
"We are pleading for other people who can assist in getting our youth the opportunity to excel, opportunity to get there because you never can tell these who can become the Thunder Baloguns of Nigeria. So I believe to that we must give them the encouragement" he said.
Winner of the tournament will get one millon naira, second placed team will get 750,000 while third placed team smile home with 500, 000. While there are also cash rewards for outstanding players who excel in the competition, chief Ajomale added that he will consider giving scholarship to the best player of the tournament.
"Let me assure that I have gave scholarship to people in the last year and it wouldn't a problem if the organisers want us to give scholarship to the best player of the tournament" Ajomale said.
The tournament is expected to last for three weeks with the final scheduled for the Campos square mini stadium, Ajele, Lagos Island on Sunday 6th of October.
The opening match of the under 15 competiton will see Prime football club of Itire Ikate taking on Damilola Taylor Football academy of Ebute metta on Saturday at the white stadium, Apapa.
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