Yusuf Amusa, the founder of the Amusa Community Championship, shared his profound insights on the tournament’s maiden edition, emphasizing the importance of grassroots football and his plans for the future.
Growing up in Surulere, Yusuf Amusa developed a deep love for grassroots football, inspiring him to create a platform for talented youths in his community.
Expressing his joy at bringing the tournament to his hometown, Amusa aims to provide young football enthusiasts with opportunities for recognition and scouting beyond Nigeria.
He stated In an exclusive interview with Sports247, “I have always been a lover of grassroots football. I grew up in this community. I stayed in Surulere, I lived all my life in Surulere and I see the way sport development is.”
Amusa lamented the missed opportunities for many youths with dreams of playing football, citing his firsthand experience witnessing talented players without avenues for exposure.
The tournament, according to Amusa, is a step towards helping youths develop their football careers, guiding them through the professional pathway.
He mentioned, “I’m giving the youth the benefit of being seen and scouted outside of Nigeria. Youths that have dreams of playing football have been cut short.”
Acknowledging the challenges in the current sports landscape, Amusa urged everyone to focus on the beauty of football.
He expressed his commitment to fostering an environment where individuals can enjoy the sport while leaving aside other distractions.
He urged, “Just leave football and let’s enjoy the beautiful game.”
With plans to make the Amusa Community Championship an annual event, Amusa envisions growth in the number of participating teams.
While six teams took part in the first edition, he anticipates a significant increase in subsequent years, possibly up to twelve or fifteen teams.
He outlined, “I promise you next year are going to be more teams. I don’t know the names of the teams right now, but I’m sure going to say that we are going to have more teams up to twelve or 15.”
Amusa clarified that, for the first edition, there were no specific criteria for team selection. However, he and his team are actively working towards attracting more clubs to participate in the tournament.
The focus is on creating an inclusive platform where numerous teams can showcase their talents.
He said, “So right now there are no criteria. This is our first edition. But I and my team are working towards getting more teams to come to play this tournament.”
Currently targeting age groups between 18 to 25, Amusa hinted at plans to include younger age groups in subsequent editions.
While the tournament has initially centred around under 17 to under 20 categories, he expressed the intention to explore opportunities for minors in the future.
He mentioned, “We are still more of the age limit of 18 to 25 right now. So very soon in subsequent years, we’ll look at minors that we can groom too as well.”
Amusa highlighted the search for sponsors to support the program, emphasizing the importance of working with brands that align with the tournament’s vision.
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He expects partnerships to play a crucial role in the success and growth of the Amusa Community Championship.
He stated, “Right now, we are looking for sponsors to come to support our programme.”
Yusuf Amusa encouraged individuals to pursue excellence in whatever they do, drawing from his belief that dedication and passion can lead to unexpected heights.
He urged everyone to stay true to their dreams, stay supportive, and avoid self-criticism, emphasizing the power of excellence in shaping one’s journey.
He shared, “My whole life, I’ve always been a lover of whatever thing you do, do it excellently.”
As the curtain falls on the maiden edition of the Amusa Community Championship, Yusuf Amusa’s vision for the future promises a bright and expansive landscape for grassroots football in Surulere.
The tournament stands as a testament to his commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with a pathway to professional success.
