10th February, 2011
Twelve football clubs across Lagos State are set for the first edition of U-12 Shamsideen Alani Ope soccer championship which begins today at the Julius Berger Euro 65 playground along Oshodi-Mile II Express Road.
The opening match will be played between Smart Striker FC of Oke-Aro and Adejumo Babes FC of Ijora.
The competition is sponsored by the president of Eko Club, Prince Shamsideen Alani Ope and organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association.
In the fixtures made available to GSG, group A consists of Smart Striker of Oke-Aro, Adejumo Babes of Ijora, Ajo FC of Ajegunle and Damilola Taylor Academy of Ebute-Metta.
Clubs that will slug it out in Group B are Prince FC, Ketu; Aparo FC, Epe; Okon FC, Iju and All Stars FC, Agbado Ijaye.
Group C is made up of Otta Warrior of Sango-Otta, Akogun FC of Oshodi, Jokers Stars of Lagos Island and FC Robo of Mushin while group D comprises All Stars of Epe, Bora FC of Egbeda, United Stars of Badagry and Glory FC of Ikotun.
The cup donor, Alani Ope, told GSG that he is sponsoring the under-aged competition because of the passion he has for the round leather game when he was in school.
According to Ope, he is also given his support in order to  contribute his own quota to sports development in the state.
He, therefore, charged other sports philanthropists and corporate bodies to sponsor a developmental programme that will empower youths and where coaches can discover new talents for the state.
“Nigerian youths need to be empowered through sports so that the high rate of crime will reduce drastically. The competition will help the young lads to exhibit their talents and will give coaches  an opportunity to scout for players that can be nurtured to stardom,†said Ope, who promised to grace the opening match today.
Ope charged the participating teams to desist from vices that can bring the competition into disrepute and warned the organisers to work round the clock for the success of the tournament.
“I want to advise the participating teams and organisers to work together for the success of the competition. I want all the clubs to be treated equally throughout the tourney. I wish the teams best of luck in their outings,†he said.
The chairman of the organising commiittee, Samuel Omolayo, assured the cup donor better organisation and officiating. He said they are ready to give their best and promised to provide  maximum security during and after the game.
The winners will go home with the sum of N100, 000 and a giant trophy, the first runner up will pocket N75, 000 while those in the the third and fourth positions will be given N50, 000 and N25, 000 respectively.