The 2024 JOF U-13 Cup Championship kicked off last weekend, and it will be played this year at three different centres spread across the metropolitan Lagos State.
This year’s edition of the grassroots football tournament, the fifth in the series, attracted no fewer than 64 teams who paraded mostly youngsters currently in schools.
The competition has been solely sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a manufacturing company and supply chain service provider based in Lagos.
According to a release made available to the media on Tuesday, matches are being played at the Union Bank playground in Surulere, Jalisco playground in Oshodi, and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa
The opening match of the 2024 edition decided on Sunday saw Unity FC of Ilupeju beating Sandro FC of Mile 2 in a pulsating encounter that ended 4-3. The match was played at the Union Bank pitch in Surulere.
More games are being scheduled for this weekend from Friday, 16 February, at Jalisco in Oshodi where Ojo Babes of Imota will slug it out with Dandali Ace of Yaba, while Puma FC of Ojo will play against Global Babes of Mushin in another encounter.
At Lekki playground Latoyam FC of Coker Aguda will trade tackles with Fagbems Babes, Ikeja, while Dophin United of Obalende will settle scores with Alaba Babes in Ojo Local Government.
On Saturday, Alaro Babes from Epe will face Oluyole FC from Ayobo-Ipaja. Apapa Babes from Apapa will play host to Ikosi Babes of Ketu.
In other matches for that Saturday, Yinka Babes, Badagry will play against St. Michael, Alimosho, while Barca FC from Lagos Mainland will slug it out with B. Unit FC of Surulere.
The organisers of the tournament, Lagos State Grassroots Football Association, say the matches are being played on weekends to give the players the opportunity to face and concentrate on their studies during the week.
Meanwhile, Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, Director, Strategic Support Services, JOF Nigeria Limited, who did the ceremonial kick off on Sunday, enjoined all the participating teams to exhibit the sprit of fair play and high degree of sportsmanship on the field of play, adding that JOF Nigeria Limited, being a wholly Nigerian indigenous company, will always support development of grassroots football in order to give opportunity to the Nigerian talented youths to excel.
