The stage is now set for the much-anticipated national football tournament organised under the auspices of the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO), following the inauguration of Zonal Coordinators by the Director-General of the group.
The inauguration ceremony, which drew political stakeholders, sports enthusiasts and youth representatives from across the country, marks a major step toward the successful staging of the grassroots football competition designed to engage young Nigerians and promote national unity through sports.
The Zonal Coordinators are Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar (North East), Abahuraira Dahiru (North West), Mr. Mojeed Adegbindin (South West), Paul Ojo Omamomo (South South), Nnamdi Charles Chukwuemeka (South East), and Solomon Babanjar (North Central).
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the organisation, Hon. Aminu Sulaiman said the tournament is part of the group’s broader youth engagement initiative aimed at harnessing football as a tool for development, talent discovery and community integration.
According to him, the appointment and inauguration of the Director of Football, Bashir Badawiy and Zonal Coordinators will ensure smooth coordination of the competition across the six geo-political zones of the country.
He explained that the Coordinators will be responsible for organising preliminary matches, mobilising teams, and liaising with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly from the grassroots to the national finals.
The DG noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to empower Nigerian youths through opportunities that promote creativity, discipline and national cohesion.
“The tournament is not only about football; it is about giving young Nigerians a platform to express their talents, build friendships across regions, and contribute positively to society,” he said.
The newly inaugurated Zonal Coordinators pledged their commitment to ensuring a transparent and well-organised tournament. They assured that efforts would be made to identify talented players from communities who could eventually progress to higher levels of the game.
Sports stakeholders present at the event also commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will complement existing grassroots football development programmes in Nigeria.
The national football tournament is expected to attract teams from different states, with the zonal competitions serving as qualifiers for the grand finale. Organisers believe the competition will not only produce new football talents but also strengthen unity and participation among young people across the country.
With the coordinators now officially in place, preparations are intensifying as participating teams begin to register for what promises to be an exciting nationwide football fiesta.
Additionally, the Coordinators shall organize coaching clinics, refereeing courses, and administrative workshops in their various zones to strengthen football management structure at local level, as well as leveraging sports as a medium for community outreach and civil participation.
