Age cheating – Uyi challenges teams ahead of Senate President U-18 Unity Cup

...24 states, scouts set for Akwa Ibom as organisers target Nigeria’s next football stars

By Maxwell Kumoye

  

The battle against age cheating will take centre stage at the 3rd Senate President Under-18 Annual Unity Cup, with the Main Organising Committee (MOC) putting participating teams on notice ahead of the competition in Akwa Ibom.

MOC Chairman, Dr. Mike Uyi, has challenged the 24 participating states to resist the temptation of fielding overage players, insisting that the credibility of the tournament depends largely on ensuring that the competition is genuinely contested by Under-18 footballers.

Uyi said the tournament is being positioned as a major talent identification platform capable of producing players for the future Golden Eaglets and, ultimately, Nigeria’s senior national team.

“With this constellation of Yobo, Amun, Etokobe, Uwe, Ahmed Musa and Chief Scout, Agent Omamome, this year’s edition will not be child’s play,” Uyi said.

“We are here to produce the next Kanu, the next Yobo, the next Ahmed Musa, the next Osimhen.”

The third edition is scheduled to kick off in Akwa Ibom on October 25, with teams from 24 states expected to converge for the grassroots football showcase.

Beyond the competition itself, the tournament is also attracting interest from talent scouts and coaches looking for the next generation of Nigerian footballers.

Tournament Coordinator and National President of the Grassroot Sports Federation (GRASOF), Hon. John Ekpenyong, confirmed that scouts from Europe, Asia and Africa have registered interest in the championship, alongside coaches from leading Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs and football academies.

The presence of the scouts is expected to add another layer of significance to the competition, with outstanding players potentially attracting opportunities beyond the tournament.

Ekpenyong said GRASOF’s objective is to bring greater structure and credibility to grassroots football development in Nigeria.

“GRASOF is proud to appoint MOC to reset grassroots football in Nigeria. Expect professionalism, transparency and real contracts for our youths,” he stated.

With the organisers promising a tournament built around transparency and talent discovery, attention will now turn to how effectively the competition can enforce its Under-18 status and provide a credible platform for young players to showcase their abilities.

For the participating states, the October 25 kick-off represents more than a chance to compete for honours; it could also provide a pathway for some of Nigeria’s emerging footballers to attract the attention of professional clubs and international scouts.