The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sports Chief Anthony Adeboye, has pledged his support for the forthcoming football tournament being organised by the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO), describing the initiative as a timely intervention in grassroots sports development.

The pledge came when the Director of Football (DOF) of the organisation, Bashir Badawiy, paid him a courtesy visit to congratulate him on the occasion of his 60th birthday and also, solicit support for the planned national football competition.

Speaking during the visit today, Friday March 13, 2026 in Abuja, the SSA on Sports expressed appreciation for the gesture and commended the Tinubu Support Organisation for using football as a platform to engage youths positively across the country.

He noted that initiatives such as the proposed tournament would not only help discover hidden talents but also contribute to youth empowerment and social cohesion.

According to him, sports remain a powerful tool for development, unity and crime prevention, adding that government and private organisations must continue to support programmes that provide opportunities for young Nigerians.

“I appreciate this thoughtful visit and the goodwill message on my 60th birthday. The football tournament being planned by the Tinubu Support Organisation is a commendable initiative. Grassroots competitions like this help to identify talents and keep our youths engaged in productive activities,” he said.

The SSA further assured the DOF of his readiness to support the tournament in whatever capacity necessary to ensure its success.

Earlier, Bashir Badawiy said the visit was aimed at celebrating the SSA on Sports for his contributions to sports development while also seeking institutional support for the upcoming football tournament.

He explained that the competition is part of the organisation’s broader vision to promote grassroots football, discover emerging talents and create opportunities for young players to showcase their abilities.

Badawiy added that the tournament would involve teams from different zones of the country and is expected to serve as a platform for nurturing future stars of Nigerian football.

He expressed confidence that with the backing of key stakeholders in the sports sector, the competition would achieve its objective of strengthening grassroots football development across the nation.