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FirstBank Leads Drive to Discover Young Talents at Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship Launch
The push to develop Nigeria’s next generation of football stars received a major boost with the unveiling of the FirstBank Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship in Abuja.
The grassroots tournament, designed to identify talents for Nigeria’s U-17 national team, was officially launched at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, with stakeholders highlighting its long-term impact on youth development and national football growth.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, described the initiative as a strategic pathway for nurturing young players capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.
“This championship will discover talents that can represent Nigeria at the U-17 World Cup and impact millions of youths across the country,” he said.
The competition is organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation and headlined by FirstBank of Nigeria, with endorsements from the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSC and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.
Beyond talent discovery, the championship is also aimed at preserving the legacy of Samuel Okwaraji, remembered for his patriotism, discipline and dedication to the country.
Managing Director of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said the bank’s involvement reflects a deep commitment to youth empowerment and nation-building through sports.
“At FirstBank, we believe that the future of our nation lies in the potential of our young people. This championship is more than a competition—it is a platform for discovering talent, building character, and shaping future leaders.”
He added that the initiative aligns with the institution’s tradition of supporting impactful national programmes.
“We are proud to support the FirstBank Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship because it reflects our core values of excellence, discipline and nation-building. Sports remains one of the most powerful tools for engaging young people positively.”
Alebiosu noted that the championship goes beyond football, focusing on holistic youth development.
“Beyond football, this initiative will instil teamwork, resilience and a sense of purpose in these young athletes. We see this as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s human capital.”
He further called for broader collaboration across sectors.
“No single institution can do it alone. We encourage more organisations to partner in initiatives like this to ensure that young talents across Nigeria are given the opportunity to thrive.”
Founder of the foundation, Osita Izunaso, described the tournament as a comprehensive development platform, assuring that participating schools would receive logistics, accommodation, medical services, officiating and security.
“Integrity is the foundation of this championship. We will ensure strict compliance with age verification and officiating standards,” he stated.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu, said the initiative not only honours a national icon but also encourages young athletes to combine education with sports.
“We are celebrating a legend and encouraging young athletes to plan for life beyond football,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 2027 Africa School Games, Lekan Alabi.
