BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Organisers of the forthcoming U-13 NADIS Cup have announced that clubs are expected to meet their requirements before they can be fully featured at the football tournament which kicks off on 24th October, 2026 at Igando proposed palace playground, Alimosho, Lagos.
The organising committee held a strategic meeting on Wednesday and came out with the criterion to be used for the tournament. The inaugural edition was put together by Igando Football Club, IGFC and sponsored by NADIS Exchange under the leadership of Nmandi Bonaventure.
The screening exercise and draws according to the organisers would hold on 17th October at the Igando proposed palace playground, Alimosho, Lagos.
A total of 16 teams are expected to participate in the nine aside tournament.During the meeting held yesterday, match coordinator, Habeeb Bello and other members of the local organising committee agreed to use weight and facial look as criterion for the tournament.
The committee agreed that the official weight for the players is 40kg, while goalkeepers would be 45kg.They also agreed that only players that meet the requirements are eligible to participate in the tournament.
A member of the committee who doubles as Chairman Technical Committee,prince Sulaiman Gbadamonsi admonished the club owners or coaches to follow the requirements noted that the committee would not allow overweight or over-aged players or keepers to feature in the tournament.
He said the tournament is strictly for players within the age bracket and insisted that any coach or club owners parade ineligible players to the screening day would be disqualified and sanctioned accordingly.
The committee also agreed that interested clubs are expected to register 14 players and two goal keepers as well as two officials as members of the team.
Meanwhile interested clubs from various part of Lagos are expected to register with a sum of N20, 000.Winners of the tournament would go home with a sum of N200, 000 and a giant trophy and medals, while the first runner up would receive a sum of N100, 000.
The main purpose of the tournament according to the committee is to give the kids who are within the age bracket an ample opportunity to showcase their natural talents and also allow the club owners or coaches to use this tournament as part of their player’s development and identifications.