The excitement is building in Lagos as preparations reach top gear for the first-ever CACATIN Football Championship, which will begin on October 21 at the Abesan Youth Centre in Alimosho. The month-long grassroots tournament will feature 20 teams competing for honours and local bragging rights.
At a press briefing and team draw held at the CACATIN Pharmaceuticals headquarters — the main sponsor of the event — organiser Tayo Adeyemo shared details of the competition. He explained that the seven-a-side contest will run for four weeks, with matches played through the group stages before the grand finale on November 21.
Adeyemo, who has made a name for himself through his company Wonderland Events, said the organisers are determined to maintain discipline and fair play, stressing that any breach of the rules will attract strict sanctions.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Dr. Olatunji Yusuf Lawal, Chairman and Managing Director of CACATIN Pharmaceuticals, said the tournament aligns with the company’s mission to support youth development and give back to the community.
“As a responsible company, we see this as an opportunity to pay back to the community where we operate. This competition will not only keep the youths busy throughout the duration of the tournament but will also enable them to showcase their talents and hopefully some of the players, through this championship, get the opportunity to play at a higher level,” he said.
The company’s Technical Director, Alhaji Olamilekan Lawal, described the initiative as a commendable step for youth empowerment and expressed confidence that the event would run smoothly.
Also speaking at the event, Opeyemi Akindele, Chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, represented by Mr. Tolulope Falope, hailed the organisers and sponsors for their commitment to community growth. She encouraged other businesses in the area to take a cue from CACATIN Pharmaceuticals by investing in sports and youth programs.
The draws placed the participating teams into five groups:
- Group A: Midas FC, Adwaak Sport, Bravo G, Ahead FC
- Group B: MSP, Rainbow FC, Royal Babes, Kruse FC
- Group C: B. Utd, Destiny Reign, Achievers, Skoda FC
- Group D: V.F.S Global, Wolves Victory FC, Favour FC
- Group E: Alimosho, Lagos Sudan, FC Shalon, R.L FC
Winners of the competition will take home ₦200,000, a trophy, and medals, while the second and third-place finishers will earn ₦100,000 and ₦50,000 respectively.
Individual honours — including Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, and Best Behaved Team — will also be awarded. Both finalists will receive brand-new jersey sets, while every team will get match balls courtesy of Prostar Sports.
