The annual football competition which is aimed at engaging
at-risk children in the Surulere and Mushin local government area of Lagos and
is scheduled to hold on 21st and 22nd December 2021 at the Union Bank Stable,
Surulere Lagos.
Targeted at the development of economic underprivileged
pre-teens between the ages of 9-13 who fall into the ‘at-risk’ category, the
tournament is aimed at equipping them with the core values, knowledge and
skills needed to realize their full potential as leaders of the next
generation.
The event is also designed to productively engage these
children and steer them away from crime, substance abuse and other social
vices.
Speaking about this year’s edition, Damilare Obagbemi,
Convener, Cohesion Football Tournament stated that the aim of the competition
is to enlighten and mentor these children, encourage their youthful dreams as
well as instill in them the mindset that anything is possible through football.
“Talent is evenly distributed across the world but
opportunity isn’t, we see how talented these kids are but lack the
opportunities and platforms to showcase their talents and hone their skills.
That is one of the reasons we created this tournament; to engage these
children, give them a platform to look forward to every year and also create a
pathway to success for them,” he said.
“Asides rewarding them with different gifts from all our
partners and sponsors, the best player will also be sponsored through school in
2022. With this initiative, we’re trying to show these children that with hard
work, commitment and consistency, they can achieve their dreams,” Obagbemi added.
Cohesion Football Tournament
The event will feature talks by renowned Nigerian
footballers and an award session where winners of the tournaments will receive
their trophies and medals.
This year’s football tournament is supported by Union Bank,
PZ and Dano. The official medical partner for the 2days tournament is Sports
Assist, Nigeria’s first sport medicine company dedicated to improving health
outcomes in professional and recreational sport.