Nearly 500 Under-16 players from the teams that registered to compete in the first money-spinning Olukusa Football Tournament, which was organized by the Grassroots Football Talents Developers Association of Nigeria (GRAFTADEAN), were screened by Oyo State Football Association officials on Saturday, September 13.
According to the Overseer and Competition Director, Engr. W.A. Afolabi, this initial edition, which is set for November 1–30, 2025, in Ibadan, is expected to be the biggest and most prominent grassroots football competition of its kind in the nation.
The sponsor of the tournament, Chief Ibrahim Sheriffdeen Akano Adetunji, the Mogaji of the Olukusa Dynasty Ibadan, in his remarks after the screening exercise done at Wesley College training ground, Elekuro-Ibadan, expressed satisfaction with the process and good conduct of all players and team officials.
He, however, stressed that the tourney was organized with the aim of discovering and nurturing exceptional football talents in Ibadan, providing a platform for the young players to showcase their skills and potentially launch their careers.
“This screening exercise is important to us because we want strict compliance with the stipulated age for the tournament, as you can see that Coach John Kayode Ogunleye, Chairman of the Central Committee for the Oyo State Football Association, was the one that supervised the process,” said Mogaji Olukusa.
Speaking in the same vein, Prince Oloyede Asanke Wasiu, the head of competition and execution, also hinted that Saturday, 4th October, 2025, has been picked for the draws of the tournament at the Academic Suit Event Hall, Ososami Road, Oke Ado, Ibadan.
He added that the opening match will take place at Olubadan Mini Stadium, while the grand finale and the closing ceremony have been scheduled for the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, with mouthwatering incentives awaiting all the winners.
Other dignitaries present at the event include Chief Bello Samsudeen Akinkunmi, Mogaji Ile Ekerin Ajengbe, Isale Osi, Ibadan. Coach Kazeem Yusuff Adesina, State President, GRAFTADEAN. Coach Akintunde Manga and Coach Musiliu Sanusi Ilerika, both representatives of the Oyo State Football Association.
