The maiden edition of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla1 of Ikate Kingdom U15 Secondary Schools football tournament kicks off Thursday, March 27, 2025, in schools within the Ikate Kingdom.
At the unveiling and draws of the tournament held inside the expansive palace of the king, the teams who were divided into two groups of four private and public schools respectively, were also given branded jerseys, balls and N50,000 token to help them prepare for the tournament.
The event also had the eminent presence of Chief Morufu Adisa Elegushi, Olisa of Ikate land, Chief Oluwadare Salisu Elegushi, Olowa of Ikate land and Chief Mukaila Olamilekan Elegushi, Alawe of Ikate land.
Speaking on the tournament that is being organised to commemorate the 15th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla1, Chief Oluwadare Salisu Elegushi, the Olowa of Ikate land, remarked that it is aimed at celebrating HRM Oba Ademola Elegushi, who was once a footballer with the nicknamed ‘Salenko’ after the legendary Russian star.
“We’re targeting many feats with this tournament. Apart from celebrating our amiable and kind king, we’re also looking at discovering fresher and younger talented footballers from the Ikate kingdom,” he enthused confidently.
Also speaking during the event, the consultant and organiser of the tournament, Prince Dapo Ajibade, while revealing that the tournament would be in a knockout format, admonishes the participating schools on the needs for discipline, integrity and fairplay throughout the tournament.
“Our amiable and people-friendly king is a man of high moral standards and a lover of the youths. We’re not only celebrating HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, this tournament is also, ostensibly targeted at giving the young lads, the opportunity to display their God-given talents and of course, be scouted for further development by football experts and coaches, who would be on ground during the matches,” Ajibade, a former executive director of Ondo State Football Agency, said.
Speaking further, Ajibade who also doubles as the Director-General of Nigeria’s largest football academy, KIFA, revealed that subsequent editions of the annual tournament shall include the female category.
In the fixtures released after the draws, in group A, Gbara High School will tackle Ilasan Secondary school, as Newhall will slug also face-off against Resettlement Secondary school, for spots in the semi-finals. While in group B, Dowen College will play against Whitesand School, and Chrisland School taking on MeadowHall, also for slots in the semi-finals.
