In celebration of the 50th birthday of its visionary CEO, Shola Opaleye, CitySports Africa recently hosted a vibrant youth tournament, titled, ‘SO’s Cup’ at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere.
Opaleye is the founder and CEO of CitySports Africa, a youth sports development institution established in 2019.
Over the past five years, under his leadership, CitySports Africa has expanded into a multisport powerhouse, covering football, basketball, tennis, swimming, and athletics.
His passion for sports as a vehicle for leadership, academic growth, and community development has shaped CitySports Africa into a transformative force in Nigerian and pan-African youth sports.
The celebratory event brought together football talents, sports academies and well-wishers for a day of sports, joy, and community impact. The tournament featured U15 and U18 teams drawn from football academies across Lagos. The event was charged with energy, skill, and a shared love for youth development through sports. Spectators were treated to thrilling matches, as well as an atmosphere filled with food, music, and community bonding.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Opaleye said, “turning 50 is a humbling milestone, and I couldn’t imagine celebrating it any other way than with the young athletes who represent everything CitySports Africa stands for. The SO’s Cup wasn’t just about marking my birthday; it was about giving back to the future of Nigerian sports. In the next few years, our vision is to scale even further across Africa, deepen our youth programs, and provide global opportunities for talented youths who often go unseen. This is just the beginning.”
More than a birthday celebration, SO’s Cup was a platform for recognising and supporting grassroots sports development in Nigeria. Cash prizes of 50,000 naira were awarded to winning teams in each category, and in a powerful gesture of encouragement, special financial support of 100,000 each was presented to emerging sports academies, including; Fortune Football Academy (Oshodi), Jimi Oshinowo Swim Team (Ikorodu), and Dabo Basketball Academy for the Disabled.
“These academies are doing remarkable work with very little, and it was important for us to shine a light on them, not just with words, but with real support,” said Opaleye, whose lifelong passion for youth development and sports is the heartbeat of CitySports Africa.
The event not only underscored CitySports Africa’s commitment to nurturing young talent, but also highlighted its broader mission: to create inclusive opportunities for youths across Nigeria through sports, mentorship, and community engagement.
