BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Football fans across Alimosho, Lagos and beyond are set for an exciting fortnight as the fifth edition of the Seamoriow U-15 Football Championship gets underway on Monday, August 24, at the Seamoriow Sports Centre, Abaranje Road, Ikotun, Alimosho, Lagos.
Organisers have promised live streaming of all matches, giving grassroots football enthusiasts around the world an opportunity to follow the action while providing young players with a bigger platform to showcase their talents.
The tournament features 16 carefully selected football academies from different parts of Lagos, with the participating teams expected to compete for honours over the two-week championship.
At the draws, the 16 teams were divided into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Defending champions Seamoriow will begin their title defence against V.I. Foot in the opening fixture at 9:00 a.m. Other matches on the opening day will see Adwaalk FA take on Dazzle FA at 10:45 a.m., Royalty Athletics face ADHOC FA at noon, while Shuffle Selects Boys battle Pumah FA at 1:30 p.m.
Tournament Coordinator, Olayinka Olajide, a FIFA-badged referee, disclosed after the press conference and draw ceremony that preparations had been concluded to ensure that all matches would be streamed online.
According to Olajide, the initiative is aimed not only at bringing the tournament closer to fans but also at giving participating players an opportunity to attract the attention of football scouts and agents.
“I must tell you that the cup donor and chairman of Seamoriow Football Club, Pastor Oluwaseyi Amos, has said this year’s edition would be different as all matches would be live streamed.
“This is good news for the teams taking part in this year’s edition. Matches would be watched live all over the world online, and our football agents would be watching these matches. So coaches should tell their players to give their best because we don’t know where offers can come from,” he said.
The coordinator also urged players, coaches and supporters to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition, both on and off the pitch.
In a goodwill message, the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Dotun Coker, stressed the importance of discipline and professionalism among all participants.
Coker assured the teams of good officiating throughout the championship and urged coaches, club owners, players, fans, media professionals and other stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful tournament.
“Following a successful media conference and draw for the fifth edition of the Seamoriow U-15 Championship, I expect the participants to optimise planning and strategic squad preparation, with the exhibition of high discipline on and off the pitch,” he said.
He also encouraged participating clubs to plan their logistics effectively and set realistic targets, including reaching the knockout stages.
According to Coker, coaches and technical teams must remain focused, make appropriate tactical adjustments and ensure that their players maintain concentration throughout the competition.
He reiterated the endorsement of the Lagos State Football Association and commended the Board of Seamoriow Sports Limited, led by Pastor Oluwaseyi Amos, for its commitment to ensuring compliance with the laws and principles of association football.
Beyond the competition itself, the Seamoriow U-15 Championship is expected to provide an important platform for young footballers to gain competitive experience and attract attention from scouts and football agents.
With every match scheduled to be available to an online audience, organisers believe this year’s tournament could provide unprecedented exposure for the participating youngsters.
Coker also acknowledged the role of partners in supporting the championship and said Seamoriow Sports Limited would provide increased brand exposure, targeted marketing campaigns and expanded merchandise opportunities linked to selected fixtures.
As the countdown to Monday’s opening whistle continues, expectations are high that the fifth edition will combine quality football, discipline, entertainment and opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian football talents.
For the young players stepping onto the Seamoriow pitch, however, the stakes are even higher: every match could be an opportunity to announce their arrival.