Grassroot Sports:Lagos Street Soccer Stars Initiative Sparks Youth Engagement.

Emmanuel lkpeama

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s exciting Lagos Street Soccer Stars Initiative has been officially launched in Oshodi-Isolo, aiming to boost active community sports participation among Lagos youths.

The inaugural three-a-side Lagos Street Soccer Star Oshodi 2025 competition organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Sports,Mr Atewogboye Adebanji Adeoye will feature 16 street teams battling it out for top prizes and cash rewards.

Investigator news reports that Mr. Atewogboye Adebanji Adeoye, Senior Aide to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Grassroots Sports Development, launched this 7-day tournament to engage Lagos youths in grassroots sports activities.

Speaking to the teams,he urge them to imbibe the spirit of fair play stating that,the winner of the competition would be going home with the sum of N500,000,N250,000 for the 1st runner-up, and N100,000 for the 2nd runner-up.

He noted that this event aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision to promote grassroots sports development, provide a platform for young talents to shine, and revive the glory days of MTN Street Soccer in Lagos.

Thousands of spectators witnessed the electrifying kickoff, transformed the normally bustling Oloyede Street. A temporary transformation of a “bumpy street” into a miniature indoor sports complex was achieved.

A sleek synthetic turf was laid, complete with goal posts and sponsor signage, creating a professional atmosphere.

 

Before the opening whistle, the participating teams, clad in branded jerseys, took to the pitch. At precisely 4:10 p.m., the referee led the teams for the first match of the seven-day event between Arowojobe St vs. Alimi Oke St.Adeoye Adebanji Atewogboye, SSA on Grassroots Sports Development, was invited to the centre field to take the ceremonial kickoff, officially launching the competition.

The tournament’s maiden edition adopted a thrilling knockout format and teams grouped into A and B.. Four teams in group A battled their way into the quarter-finals, with two matches decided in the regular game play and two more going down to the wire in nail-biting penalty shootouts.

Investigator news gathered matches will take place across various local street teams, with exceptional players already being recognized for their outstanding performances.

Speaking with newsmen,Hon Adebanji a.k.a Skibanj stated that this initiative is expected to drive sports development, youth engagement, and community outreach, with plans to expand to other local governments in Lagos, starting with Surulere later this year.

Adebanji opined that It will also help to promote APC mobilization strategies and engage youths through community sports developments.

“As the SSA on grassroot sports,it is my duty to engage the youths through sporting activities. This initiative is just to engage our youths and see how we can used sports activities to reduce crime, drug abuse and make them buy this initiative as we plan to take this game to all the local government in the state.”he said.

The SSA went further to appeal to the youths to make use of this initiative and engage themselves during this holiday, noting that the subsequent edition would be bigger than the present edition.

On his plans for the youths,Hon Adebanji said that the Lagos State government through his office is organizing a summer camp coming up on the 25th of August to September as it aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s agenda to promote grassroots sports development and provide a platform for young talents to shine.

He acknowledged the State Governor,Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu for the youths the platform to showcase their talents,security agencies, the DPO Akinpelu Police Station, and the Community Development Association for ensuring participant safety.

At the end of the day,Arowojobe Str played 1:1 with Alimi Oke Str after the 20mins game, thereafter a penalty shootout and Alimi Oke took the upper hand(1-3.

Others are Samuel Street 0:2 Osho Str, Church Str 2:2 Adeyemi Str(Penalty 1:2)and Adeyemi took the day and the last match was Oremeji Str 2:3 Joseph Str.

Despite the torrential rain, the fan were treated to high class, artistic football display as the atmosphere was charged with energy, thanks to the booming tunes of a DJ, and the event was managed with impressive attention to detail, including adequate security and readily available medical services.

At the end of the match, outstanding players were rewarded with awards from the organizer,Mr Atewogboye Adebanji Adeoye (Skibanj)

The competition continues at the same venue, with kick-off remaining at 4 PM, with eight teams from group B  to compete for a spot in the quarter-finals, promising another day of thrilling street soccer action.

 

5th August 2025 Match results:

Oshodi Road 1 – 3 Bello Street.
Oloyede Street 3 – 2 Dosunmu Street (on penalty shoot-out).
Adekunle Street 2 – 1 Wahabi Larinde
Mosaku Street 3 – 1 Arowojobe Close (on penalty shoot-out)