The third edition of the Lab Memorial Football Carnival is set to kick off, with 16 teams ready to compete in the two-day tournament.
The event, which begins on April 11 at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, Akoka, is designed to enhance grassroots football development and support local talents.
This year, the organizers have introduced an athletics program to the event, providing a platform for upcoming players to display their football talent. The athletics program will showcase some of the best pupils and students from primary and secondary schools in Iwaya and its environs.
The football carnival, which started three years ago, was instituted in honour of the late Layiwola Ayinde Balogun, an advocate for youth and sports development who encouraged and empowered many people in the Iwaya community.
Dr. Abdul Balogun, the tournament Chief Promoter, spoke to the press about the growth of the tournament. “The tournament is getting bigger by the day and the sponsorship is getting bigger as well. So the intention is to continuously make sure we can give the best back to the community and that’s the importance of it itself,” he said.
Balogun also expressed his expectations for the teams. “The expectation is for the teams to have fun and we try as much as possible to create awareness across the globe so that some of these young adults can get opportunities across the globe and keep doing what we’re doing to give back to the community and to serve the community,” he added.
Akeem Babatunde, a member of the Iwaya Football Association, highlighted the progression of the competition. “From eight teams, we had progressed to 16 teams. Now probably by next year we’ll be 32 teams with the special grace of God. The sponsors had been very, very wonderful,” he said.
The football tournament has produced young stars who are now playing professionally for clubs and representing the national teams. Organizers express optimism that more talent will be discovered this year. They assure participating teams of top-notch organizations and quality officiating during the tournament, emphasizing the need to engage the youth positively.
