Sixteen sides will compete in the third Spires 5-a-side Naija Street Soccer Tournament Lagos State Championship, where two-time winners White Tigers FC will chase a historic third consecutive crown.

Key takeaways

• White Tigers FC enter the competition as champions of each of the first two editions.
• The 16 participating clubs have been placed in four groups containing four teams apiece.
• Fifty computers will be provided to young people from Lagos State’s five divisions through the Sports Meet-Tech initiative.
• The programme includes education in AI, machine learning, coding and graphic design.
• The tournament is intended to advance grassroots football while discouraging cultism and violence among young people.

Groups set for Lagos championship

Dr Bankole Allibay, who convenes the event, said the competition combines community-level football development with youth empowerment initiatives and efforts to tackle violence and cult-related activity.

The draw has placed White Tigers in Group D alongside New Generation FC, Alphas FC and All Saints FC.

Group A consists of Orion and Leon FC, The Crown FC, Smiler All Champions FC and Blood and Sand FC. Chekas United FC, Greater Tomorrow FC, Prodigy FC and Diamond FC make up Group B, while Add Academy, Angso Sports Club, Wasola FC and Emajuls FC have been assigned to Group C.

At the tournament’s media event, Lagos State Football Association chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed applauded the organisers for keeping the championship alive and creating an avenue for young footballers to showcase and improve their ability.

“I love consistency,” Liameed said. He voiced his hope that White Tigers could defend their trophy, while recognising that the other clubs will be eager to end the champions’ run. He added that a strong third edition would bring greater anticipation and a more competitive tournament in the years ahead.

Having lifted the title in both previous tournaments, White Tigers will be among the leading contenders in a line-up that includes teams that progressed through divisional qualifying events. Their coach said the champions would concentrate on delivering their own best performances once play starts.

Organisers will distribute 50 computers across the five Lagos divisions and provide beneficiaries with programming and artificial intelligence training. The project is part of Sports Meet-Tech, a scheme launched in 2025.

The initiative offers courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, coding and graphic design. Allibay said participants will receive IT training intended to equip them with useful skills beyond the end of their football careers.

He expressed appreciation to the competing teams, coaches, match officials, media organisations, sponsors and Lagos football authorities, while stating that the organisers want to further strengthen the tournament’s format and expand its impact.

Dele Atoun, the referees’ association secretary, welcomed the competition and called for referees to be included in the empowerment schemes. He noted that many officials have academic or professional qualifications, with refereeing serving as a pastime alongside their main occupations, and said they should also benefit from skills-development opportunities.

Liameed said grassroots sport requires continued backing from football administrators and other stakeholders. Young people are participating in football, basketball, boxing and a range of other disciplines, he said, and investment at that level is crucial to building future national teams.

The championship spans Lagos State’s five divisions: Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island.