Preparations have been finalised for the third edition of the Fans For Fun (FFF) U-17 Unity Football Tournament, a grassroots competition aimed at nurturing young talents from schools across Lagos State.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on May 13, 2026, at four venues across metropolitan Lagos. These include the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena (Onikan Stadium), Maracana Stadium, Nitel Playground, and the University of Lagos Sports Centre.
Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the tournament organiser, Olatunbosun Akande, emphasised the need to address the growing gap in youth football development across the country. He noted that the FFF Unity Cup is designed to provide a platform for school-based players to showcase their abilities.
According to Akande, the tournament’s primary focus is on exposure rather than financial rewards, although a total prize pool of N10 million will be shared among the top four teams. The winners will receive N4 million, while the runners-up will get N3 million. The third- and fourth-placed teams will earn N2 million and N1 million respectively.
He further disclosed that 18 outstanding players will be selected at the end of the competition for an international training tour at the Liverpool Football Club International Academy in the United Kingdom.
Also speaking, Dotun Coker, vice chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, commended the organisers for the initiative, noting that the competition—featuring both male and female teams from the 57 local government areas and local council development areas—will receive technical support from the FA.
He said the competition has the endorsement of the Football Association.
Representatives from several local councils were in attendance at the press conference.
