First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, has appealed to government authorities and corporate organisations to support the upcoming Sam Okwaraji National U-16 Football Championship, aimed at honouring the memory of the late Nigerian footballer while promoting grassroots talent.
The tournament, scheduled to hold later this year, is being organised in memory of Sam Okwaraji, who died in August 1989 during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos.
Speaking on the initiative, Anyansi described the planned memorial competition as timely and purposeful, more than three decades after Okwaraji’s passing. He noted that the tournament will serve both as a tribute and as a platform for youth development across the country.
“Sam Okwaraji was a patriotic Nigerian who died while playing for the country. This tournament is a welcome development because it’s not just about remembrance; it’s about using sport as a tool to grow young talent and promote unity,” he said.
Anyansi specifically called on state governments, particularly in the South East, to show full support for the tournament. “I want to appeal to all the South East governors, philanthropists and corporate Nigeria to get involved. Supporting this initiative will not only honour Okwaraji’s legacy but also help nurture a new generation of footballers.”
The tournament is expected to begin with zonal qualifiers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Two teams from each zone will qualify for the final round-robin stage of the championship.
According to Anyansi, the event is aligned with the NFF’s broader strategy to prioritise grassroots football development. He referenced successful youth programmes in countries like Morocco and South Africa, attributing their football progress to sustained investment in talent discovery and development.
“The NFF is taking grassroots football seriously. If we are to match the pace of development we see in other African countries, then everyone — from government to the private sector — must commit to initiatives like this,” he said.
Anyansi added that beyond talent discovery, the tournament would also foster national unity and create social bonds among young players from different regions.
Details about the zonal qualifiers and national finals are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
