The Lagos State Government (LASG) has praised the organisers of the UNITECOL Cup for their continued commitment to youth development, talent discovery, and collegiate sports growth in the state.
The commendation came during the second edition of the tournament, currently being held at the prestigious University of Lagos, where six higher institutions are competing for football supremacy in a highly competitive collegiate atmosphere.
According to the state’s commissioner of Youth and Social development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, the tournament has become a growing platform that effectively merges education and sport while promoting unity, discipline, and healthy competition among students across Lagos State.
Last year’s edition was hosted at Yaba College of Technology, and the shift to UNILAG this year further highlights the expanding vision and institutional support behind the competition.
He noted that the initiative reflects a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening youth engagement through structured sports development, particularly football, which remains one of the most popular pathways for student-athlete progression in Nigeria.
“This year’s edition at the University of Lagos further reflects the growing vision of combining education and football to foster youth engagement, talent development, unity, and healthy competition among students,” he stated.
He also expressed readiness to collaborate with relevant ministries and stakeholders to expand the reach of the tournament, with plans to include all tertiary institutions across the state in future editions.
Such expansion, according to him, will further deepen grassroots football development and create more opportunities for young athletes to transition into higher levels of competitive sport.
Beyond sports development, the platform was also used to encourage civic responsibility among young people, especially as the election season approaches. Students were urged to remain active, responsible, and positively engaged in the democratic process.
He also commended the organisers, 54Footballx, led by Mr. Anyababa Ikem, for sustaining what has become a fast-growing collegiate football initiative in Lagos.
“Kudos to the organisers for sustaining this impactful initiative, and I wish all participating teams success throughout the tournament,” he added.