The maiden edition of the Sam Okwaraji Under-16 Annual All-Nigeria Secondary School Soccer Championship will officially kick off on November 8, 2025. The tournament will bring together promising young footballers from across the country to honour one of Nigeria’s most iconic sports heroes.
Organised by the Sam Okwaraji Foundation under the theme “Patriotism, Education and Soccer”, the tournament celebrates the life and legacy of the late Super Eagles midfielder, Dr. Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji. The competition aims to discover, nurture, and promote grassroots football talent while instilling discipline, patriotism, and sportsmanship among secondary school students.
Speaking at a media briefing, Senator Osita B. Izunaso, Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, said the initiative will not only provide young players with a national platform to showcase their skills but also keep alive the memory of Okwaraji, who tragically collapsed and died during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos, on August 12, 1989.
“Exactly 36 years ago, we lost an icon, a rare gem, a believer in the Nigerian project. That day was a dark moment for our country. Dr. Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji was not only a gifted footballer but a symbol of patriotism, sacrifice, and national pride. He died wearing the green-white-green, giving his last breath on the field of play. In honouring him, we remind ourselves and future generations that true greatness lies in service, not in self,” Senator Izunaso said.
The debut edition will feature teams from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT. Matches will be staged at designated centres nationwide, culminating in a grand finale at a venue to be announced.
Leave feedback about this