The stage is fully set for the third edition of the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament in Lagos, bringing together the absolute best grassroots talent from across the five divisions of the state. Action gets underway on Tuesday, October 27th, at the popular Stables Sports Ground, located off Bode Thomas in Surulere, where sixteen elite teams will lock horns for ultimate glory.
Excitement reached a fever pitch during the official draw ceremony held at the Spires headquarters inside the CIBN building in Victoria Island. The pairings for the group stages promise nothing short of thrilling encounters. Group A features Orion and Leon FC alongside The Crown FC, Smiller All Champions, and Blood and Sand Football Club. Over in Group B, Chekas United will slug it out with Greater Tomorrow, Prodigy FC, and Diamond FC.
Group C is packed with equally fierce contenders, including ASD Academy, Ango Sports Club, Wasola FC, and Emaljus FC. Meanwhile, Group D headlines the defending champions, White Tigers, who face a tough path against New Generation FC, Alphas FC, and All Saints Football Club.
Speaking virtually from the United Kingdom, the visionary behind the tournament, Dr. Bankole Allibay, emphasized that this year’s competition goes far beyond the turf. He noted that the initiative is strategically crafted to uplift young people by blending grassroots athletics with digital empowerment. According to him, the expanded Sports Meet-tech component is designed to unlock opportunities for participants long after the final whistle blows.
As part of this year’s rewards, participants will undergo a week-long intensive training program in various technology skills. Through a collaborative effort with partners like IHS, fifty brand-new laptops will be presented to selected participants to supercharge their journeys in the ICT sector.
Adding weight to the occasion, the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Gafar Liameed, graced the draw ceremony as a special guest. He charged the players to maintain high levels of professionalism both on and off the pitch throughout the competition. Demonstrating his strong backing for the initiative, the 36 Lions FC boss also pledged to donate two additional laptops to complement the pool of prizes and the tournament organizers.
Commending the driving force behind the project, Liameed expressed delight at the partnership, praising the selfless commitment toward youth development in Lagos State and noting that everyone involved is eagerly anticipating a remarkable tournament.
