The highly anticipated Engr. Sanusi Ridwan (Strikah) Football Competition officially kicked off in Ibadan on Sunday, December 1st, 2024.
The competition brings together 12 young football clubs from Ibadan North East and Ibadan South East Local Governments.
The event, organized by Engr. Strikah Foundation in partnership with Grassroot Football Talents Developers Association of Nigeria, aims to identify and develop the skills of young footballers in the two Local Governments.
The competition will run for three weeks, culminating in a grand finale at the Wesley Football pitch, Elekuro, Ibadan on December 22, 2024.
While declaring the competition open at the Lagelu Football pitch, Agugu Ibadan, the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, praised Engr. Sanusi Ridwan Strikah for his contributions to sports development at the grassroots level.
He said Engr. Strikah’s foundation has implemented various initiatives and programs aimed at supporting youths and empowering vulnerable members of society.
In his remarks, the founder of Engr. Strikah Foundation, Engr. Sanusi Ridwan emphasized the significance of sports in promoting grassroots development and empowering young people.
“Through our foundation, we have been able to touch the lives of many in our community, and we are committed to continuing this work. Today’s event is just one example of our efforts to promote grassroots development and empower young people to reach their full potentials.
Football is not just a sport; it is a way of life that teaches us discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Through this competition, we aim to identify and develop the skills of young footballers in Ibadan, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams.
“As the founder of Engr. Strikah Foundation, I am committed to empowering not just young minds, but also vulnerable men and women, and children in our society. Our foundation provides a range of support programmes, including relief materials like food and money to those in need. We also provide economic empowerment initiatives to help individuals and families break the cycle of poverty.” Engr. Sanusi said
He encouraged participating teams to demonstrate sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for one another.
The competition is expected to attract a large following of football fans and enthusiasts, providing a platform for young footballers to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams.