The 8th edition of Bola Akindele U-15 boys and girls football tournament will kick off today at the Ojoniyu Sports Centre, Ebute-Metta, Mainland, as the organisers of the tournament announced the sum of N2 million for the winners of boys and girls categories.

With 32 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams participating, the opening match would be played between Guidon Smart and Latoyam FC in the boys’ category. The 32 male and 24 female teams are drawn from different parts of Lagos.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, the cup donor and the Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Dr Adebola Ismail Akindele, said his continuous sponsorship of the tournament for the past seven years is born out of passion to motivate youths and grassroots football.

“This competition has produced players who are now in the Nigerian league and the Junior national teams in both categories. The company is not sponsoring this grassroots football for profit-making, making rather we are doing this as part of our corporate social responsibility.

“At the final ceremony, winners in both categories would be rewarded with the sum of N400,000 with a trophy. We would also give first runner up N300,000, while third and fourth position would pocket N200,000 and N100,000 respectively,” he said.

The tournament is usually organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association with the sole aim of promoting football development as means of creating a platform for the youngsters to showcase their talent.

Akindele, who presented trophies for the finals to the organisers acknowledged the contributions of private organisations and well-meaning individuals to sports development, noting that the government must continue to provide opportunities for talented youth to excel in their chosen careers.

The sports philanthropist expressed his satisfaction with the success achieved so far, as some talents discovered from the tournament are now representing junior national teams and playing for professional clubs in and outside the country.

Applauding Akindele for passion sports, especially football, Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association Secretary, Aliu Olawale Ganiu, reaffirmed the association’s readiness to stage a befitting tournament. He stated that the finals and closing ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 20 at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.