BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
A total of 120 teams across six geo-political zones of Nigeria would battle for sum of N5 million naira as prize money at the 18th edition of U-16 Inter State Emeka Anyaoku Cup 2026.
The South West zonal qualification will kick off on Sunday,15th of February 2026 at Motola Primary School, Ibadan, Oyo State, between Akure Boys Football Academy, Ondo State and Littleton Babes, ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The annual competition is being honoured after former secretary General of Commonwealth Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON.
Chairman National Youths Soccer Association, Rev. Paul Freeman disclosed that the winners of the tournament would go home with the sum of N2m with a giant trophy, second position would receive N1.5 million, while third position would pocket N1million naira as fourth position would receive sum of N500,000 as prize money.
Freeman, while chatting with our correspondent in Lagos, thanked Chief Anyaoku for his commitment and contributions to the youths, sports, and social development in the country and prayed for his long life in good and sound health.
He noted that all necessary arrangements are in place to kick start the zonal qualification in Ibadan, Oyo State, and urged the participants to always abide by the rules governing the game.
He also thanked Chief Emeka Anyaoku for supporting the competition since inception and promised that this year’s edition would be better organised.
“On behalf of the association,I thank Chief Emeka Anyaoku for his support in the last 18 years of this tournament.We are very grateful for his contributions to the football development in the country and I pray that God should continue to give him the strength and live long life in good health, Amen, “he concluded.