The stage is set for the fifth edition of the Seamoriow Sports U-15 League Championship after the official draw was conducted on Tuesday, August 18, at the Seamoriow Sports Complex in Ikotun, Lagos.

The draw brought together officials of the Lagos State Football Association, the Alimosho Football Coaches Council and the Lagos State Coaches Council as preparations intensified for the 2026 championship.

The tournament has grown into a platform for young footballers in Lagos to gain competitive experience and showcase their abilities in front of coaches, scouts and other football development stakeholders.

This year’s competition will be held under the theme, “Run in Grace”, with the accompanying message, “Surrender – Strive – Succeed.”

According to the organisers, the theme reflects the wider objective of the tournament, which is to encourage young players to develop their football abilities while promoting discipline, humility and respect for the game.

The 2026 edition will begin on August 24, with the grand finale scheduled for September 6 at the Seamoriow Sports Complex.

With the groups now decided, former champions, previous finalists and emerging academies will begin preparations for what is expected to be a competitive battle for the title.

The financial rewards have also increased for this year’s competition. The champions will receive ₦2 million, while the runners-up will take home ₦1 million and the third-placed team ₦500,000.

Individual awards will also be presented, with ₦300,000 allocated to the Most Valuable Player and ₦200,000 each for the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.

As the Seamoriow U-15 League enters its fifth edition, the organisers said the competition remains focused on talent identification and development rather than prizes alone.

The tournament provides young footballers with an opportunity to compete in a structured environment, gain experience and attract the attention of coaches, scouts and other stakeholders involved in player development.

Speaking after the draw, Chairman of Seamoriow Sports, Oluwaseyi Amos, said the fifth edition represented an important milestone for the competition.

“This fifth edition is very special to us because it reflects how far the Seamoriow U-15 League has come and the responsibility we have to continue creating the right environment for young players to grow,” Amos said.

“Our theme, ‘Run in Grace’, is not just a slogan. We want these boys to understand that while they must strive for excellence and compete with everything they have, they must also conduct themselves with discipline, humility and respect for the game.”

Amos said the organisers expected a competitive championship but maintained that the development of the players remained the primary objective.

“We expect a very competitive championship, but beyond who wins the trophy, our greatest satisfaction will come from seeing players discover themselves, improve and take another step towards fulfilling their potential,” he said.

“We want every player to leave this competition better than they came, whether or not their team wins the championship.”

He added that Seamoriow Sports remained committed to creating a meaningful experience for participating teams and providing young players with opportunities to test themselves against quality opposition.

With the groups now drawn, attention shifts to the players, coaches and academies ahead of the opening fixtures on August 24.

The tournament will culminate on September 6, when the fifth Seamoriow U-15 League champion will be crowned.

For the young footballers involved, however, the competition offers more than a chance to win a trophy. It provides an opportunity to gain experience, develop their abilities and take another step towards their football ambitions.