Lagos Plans Collaboration With Kidsport Charity Cup As Season 14 Powered By KingMakers Ends Amid Pomp

The Lagos State Government will from next edition of the annual Kidsport Charity Cup collaborates with the organisers of the competition for expanded event that will make it glamorous.

These were the words of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende at the finale of the 14th edition of Kidsport Charity Cup held at the Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island.

To Ogunlende, the effort of the founder of Kidsport, Mrs Bukola Alabi, is not going unnoticed by the state government.

According to him, he was at the finale to honour “her tireless efforts to promote the growth and development of orphans and vulnerable children in Lagos. I was pleased to attend the 14th edition of her Kidsport Charity Cup held at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos.

“This event marked a significant milestone in our mission to bridge social gaps and foster unity through sports. We believe every child, regardless of status or background, deserves the opportunity to showcase their talents and pursue their passions.

“Certainly, I look forward to collaborating in 2025 alongside my brother, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, DG of the Lagos State Sports Commission, to expand this initiative. Our goal is to support the holistic development and education of Nigerian children, especially the underprivileged, through sports and recreation.

“The event was made even more special by the presence of Olori Temitope Ogunwusi and Ms Eno Essien, a remarkable cancer survivor who recently launched her book,” he said.

The initiator of the competition, Mrs Bukola Alabi described the performance of all the players who took part in the Season 14 edition as excellent and exceptional, adding that the Kidsport Charity Cup, a one-day event been organized since 2009 to bring together kids from orphanage homes, football academies, and secondary schools in Lagos State to compete in a variety of sports.

“The event aims to help kids discover their talents and bring them to the forefront,” she said.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that excitement pervaded the Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island, the venue of the finale of KingMakers-powered Kidsport Charity Cup Season 14 on Wednesday 18 December 2024 when youths from some orphanage homes in Lagos took part in the yearly grassroots tournament to showcase their God-given talent in football and gaming exercise.

Watched by high-profile dignitaries who included the amiable Queen from the Ooni of Ife Palace, Her Regal Majesty, Ambassador Dr Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Nigerian international footballer, Joshua Akpudje, Mrs Eno Essien, CEO of Rheytrack, Ms Oluwafunmike Salami, Founder of Funmike E. Foundation and a host of others, the competition sponsored by the KingMakers lived up to its expectations with the SOS, Isolo winning the star prize of N1 million in the orphanage category of the competition.

Project Friendship Initiative was adjudged the runners-up, and a prize of N750,000 was given to the team. Dazzle FC won the academy category and pocketed the sum of N250,000, and Varsity FC won the runners-up position. Dannaz FC won the female category with a prize of N250,000, while Wasbak Ladies got the runners-up trophy.

Individual awards and cash gifts were also given out to some outstanding players in all the categories.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the orphanage homes category received N250,000 and a smartphone, while the same cash and gift went to the best goalkeeper.

In the academy category, the MVP received N250,000, while the best goalkeeper received N50,000 and gloves. The same prize and gift went to the MVP and goalkeeper in the female event.

The tournament this year received facilitating support from a good number of corporate support which included Providus Bank, Olam Nigeria, Checkers, Doculand, MTN Nigeria, TAS Africa, Kids FM, MoMo Cupcakes, Indomie, American, Guest Quarters, GameEvo, LaCasera, Oreolas, RAAF, Ladies in Sports International, Nwandos Signature and Glambox.