By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has commended the Italian Consulate General in Lagos for promoting grassroots football development through the ongoing Italian Consulate General U-20 Football Tournament.
Shaibu made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the competition at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos, alongside diplomats, football stakeholders, sports administrators, coaches, and young athletes.
The tournament, which runs from June 2 to June 7, 2026, is designed to foster youth football development, talent discovery, cultural exchange, and sporting cooperation between Nigeria and Italy.
It also aims to provide talented young footballers with exposure and pathways to opportunities in Europe.
Eight teams, including Okaka FC, Plateau United, Bendel Insurance, and 36 Lions FC, are participating in the competition, showcasing some of the finest emerging talents within Nigeria’s football development system.
Adding glamour to the event, former Super Eagles stars Obafemi Martins and Christian Obodo are serving as tournament ambassadors, inspiring the young players with their experiences and achievements in the game.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaibu described the initiative as a valuable platform for nurturing future football stars and advancing youth empowerment through sports.
He noted that the tournament aligns with the mandate of the National Institute for Sports in talent identification, athlete development, and capacity building.
The NIS Director-General urged the players to maximize the opportunity by displaying discipline, teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship, stressing that competitions of this nature can serve as stepping stones to professional football careers.
Organisers expressed confidence that the tournament would further strengthen sporting ties between Nigeria and Italy while contributing significantly to the growth of youth football in the country.
The National Institute for Sports reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sports excellence and create sustainable development pathways for young athletes across Nigeria.
