The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the AKD Under-16 Football Tournament has unveiled the third edition of the competition, which commenced today, Friday, September 13th.

The tournament began with exciting matches between Ward B and Ward A, setting the tone for the competition. Additionally, Ward E will face off against Ward C, while Ward D will take on Ward H, and Ward F will battle Ward G on Sunday, September 15th.

The AKD Under-16 Football Tournament aims to discover and develop young football talents in Bariga LCDA, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills.

The Chairman of the LOC Mr. Kunle Ashiru announced an array of exciting prizes to motivate and reward the young talents participating in the competition. The prizes include:

– Most Valuable Player (MVP)
– Best Goal Keeper
– Highest Goal Scorer
– Fair Play Award
– Best Referee
– Man of the Match Award for every match, which comes with a cash prize of 5,000 Naira.

Prince Mofolusho Oluwatoyin, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Bariga Local Government, represented Hon. Kolade Alabi at the AKD Under-16 Football Tournament, praising the initiative as “one of the best programs” of the administration.

Oluwatoyin highlighted the success of the tournament’s first edition in discovering hidden talents in Bariga, saying, “We know that some of our boys are good, but only if we can bring them out at a tender age.” He expressed optimism that the current edition would uncover more talents, especially from the underserved areas of Bariga.

The Chief of Staff assured that the local government would support the discovered talents, following the example of their support for weightlifters and boxers from Bariga. He announced plans to establish training pitches at CMS and Gbagada Girls, providing equipment and assistance to nurture the young players.

Oluwatoyin emphasized the administration’s commitment to promoting sports excellence in Bariga, stating, “We are going to bring them to the limelight and support them fully.” The tournament aims to identify and develop young football talents, potentially leading to future sports glory for Bariga.

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Kunle Ashiru, emphasized the importance of discovering talents among young participants.

Ashiru stated that the screening process was thorough, specific, and focused, aiming to bring out the best in the young players. He described the tournament as a representation of education and artwork, showcasing the skills of the participants.

The AKD Cup will feature eight teams competing in a knockout format, with the first matches scheduled for September 2024. The tournament will culminate in the finals on September 22, 2024, a Sunday.

Ashiru encouraged everyone to join in celebrating the young players and their talents, saying, “Let’s go together to celebrate… and encourage these young lads to exhibit their skills.”