First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, has called on state governments and corporate organisations across Nigeria to support the upcoming maiden edition of the Sam Okwaraji National U-16 Football Championship.
The tournament, scheduled to hold later this year, is being organised in honour of the late Nigerian football icon Sam Okwaraji, who tragically died on August 12, 1989, after collapsing during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Anyansi Agwu—former Chairman of Enyimba FC—described Okwaraji as a true patriot who gave his life for the country, and stressed the importance of commemorating his legacy through meaningful youth football development.
“The memorial football tournament, coming more than three decades after the passing of Sam Okwaraji, is a welcome development. It is targeted at grassroots football development, and I urge governments at all levels, as well as corporate Nigeria, to rally behind this noble cause,” he said.
Anyansi Agwu specifically appealed to the governors of the South East region—where Okwaraji hailed from—to offer full backing to the championship, noting its potential impact not just in immortalising the late midfielder, but also in nurturing young talent.
“I particularly call on all South East governors, philanthropists, and the private sector to support the championship. The format will begin with zonal competitions across the six geopolitical zones, with two teams from each zone advancing to a round-robin final phase,” he explained.
Beyond talent discovery, the NFF vice president believes the tournament can play a unifying role for young players across the country.
“This initiative won’t just uncover future stars, it will also foster friendships among young players from different parts of Nigeria. The NFF is committed to grassroots football development as a cornerstone for future success. If you look at countries like South Africa and Morocco, their rapid football progress is due to serious investments in youth development. We must do the same.”
The Sam Okwaraji U-16 National Football Championship is expected to serve as a platform to discover and nurture the next generation of Nigerian football stars while paying tribute to and immortalizing a national hero who died in the service of his country.
