The FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation (SOF) National Secondary Schools Football Championship, also known as the Memoir Cup has commenced in several states across the country.

Chairman of the tournament’s steering committee, Senator Osita Izunaso, said in a statement on Friday that SOF was established to preserve the memory of the late Nigerian international, Samuel Okwaraji.

The championship, being organised for the first time, will be held in three stages.

The first stage, currently underway, involves state championships across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to determine state champions.

The winners will advance to the zonal playoffs, where zonal representatives will emerge for the national finals.

The national finals will feature the zonal champions competing for the overall title.

Mr Izunaso recalled that Mr Okwaraji died after collapsing while playing for the Super Eagles during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola on August 12, 1989, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

He said the foundation was committed to discovering and nurturing young football talents in secondary schools across the country through structured competitions.

According to him, the initiative is expected to contribute to the development of grassroots football in Nigeria.

Mr Izunaso also commended FirstBank for partnering with the foundation to ensure the successful organisation of the competition across the federation.

He said the championship was being organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF).

According to him, the organisers hope the competition will become an annual event on Nigeria’s football calendar. 

(NAN)