*Over 5,000 youths expected to participate as European scouts, scholarships and international opportunities headline grassroots football initiative
Former Inter Milan and Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, is set to host the Renewed Hope Football Tournament — PBAT–KOH 2026, an initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian youths through grassroots football, skills development, mentorship and access to career opportunities.
The tournament is designed to provide young Nigerians with a platform to showcase their football talents, engage in constructive community activities and explore pathways to education, training and employment.
The initiative will be organised in partnership with the Obafemi Martins Foundation and the City Boy Movement, led by Barrister Seyi Tinubu.
The competition is expected to attract more than 5,000 Nigerian youths from the country’s six geopolitical zones, with matches and activities planned across the regions.
Organisers said the tournament would provide emerging football talents with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities before scouts expected to attend from Europe. Scholarships will also be awarded to outstanding players, while exceptional performers could have opportunities to travel to Europe and pursue further football development.
Beyond the competition, the Renewed Hope Football Tournament seeks to combine sporting activities with structured youth-development programmes, mentorship, technology-driven initiatives and community engagement.
The organisers said the programme would also create opportunities for young people to participate in community listening forums, share their concerns and connect with initiatives designed to support their personal and professional development.
The tournament is expected to promote youth inclusion, talent discovery and community participation, while using football as a platform to connect young Nigerians with opportunities beyond the pitch.
The grand finale is scheduled to hold on November 28 in Lagos State, with the Onikan Stadium Arena designated as the venue.
Martins, who previously featured for Italian giants Inter Milan and represented Nigeria at international level, is expected to play a central role in the initiative, drawing on his football experience to inspire and support the next generation of Nigerian players.
Through the tournament, the organisers aim to establish a platform that combines grassroots football with practical empowerment opportunities, giving talented young Nigerians greater exposure and a chance to pursue their ambitions in sports and other fields.
The initiative is being presented as a youth-development and community-engagement programme under the Renewed Hope Football Tournament banner, with the organisers emphasising accessibility, transparency and measurable benefits for participants.