Senate President U-18 Cup Draws Nationwide Football Interest
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye
The countdown to the 3rd Senate President National Under-18 Unity Cup has entered its final stretch, with the organisers reporting a growing wave of interest from football academies and grassroots clubs across Nigeria.
With 19 days remaining before the tournament begins, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Dr. Mike Uyi, said the response from the football community has gone beyond expectations, with several academies already making enquiries about participation.
The tournament will run from October 25 to November 1 at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, featuring 24 states in male and female competitions.
Speaking in Uyo after a meeting of the organising committee, Uyi said the strong response had reinforced the need to expand the competition's reach.
He disclosed that the organisers intend to move beyond the state-based format in future editions by creating an avenue for football academies and clubs from across the country to compete directly.
“This edition will feature 24 states in both the male and female categories. From the next edition, however, we intend to open the competition to clubs and academies across Nigeria,” Uyi said.
He explained that the broader objective was to make the competition a stronger talent-development platform while using football to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
Uyi also acknowledged the role of Senate President and Chief Host, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, in supporting the tournament, particularly its focus on youth development and grassroots football.
The opening ceremony is also expected to bring together a collection of familiar faces from Nigerian football.
Former Golden Eaglets World Cup-winning coach Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON, former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo, Akarandut Nicodemus Orok and other tournament ambassadors are scheduled to be at the opening ceremony to interact with the young players.
Beyond the competition itself, the organisers are also positioning the tournament as a scouting window for emerging talents.
Uyi confirmed that football scout Chief Paul Ojo Omamome will attend the tournament to identify promising players, with selected talents expected to have opportunities to pursue trials outside Nigeria.
Meanwhile, GRASOF National President and Tournament Coordinator, Honourable John Bassey Ekpenyong, placed the tournament within the broader grassroots sports development agenda of Akwa Ibom State.
Ekpenyong praised His Excellency Governor Umo Eno for his support for sports and referenced GRASOF's experience working on the Pastor Umo Eno Easter Under-17 Unity Cup as evidence of the potential of grassroots competitions to engage young people.
He said the federation's approach was to use sport not only for competition but also as a tool for employment, talent discovery, youth engagement and peace-building.
“Football is not just a game, it is an economy,” Ekpenyong declared.
The 2026 Senate President National Under-18 Unity Cup is being organised by GRASOF in collaboration with the Office of the President of the Senate, with Ikot Ekpene set to become the centre of Nigeria's youth football spotlight from October 25.
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