Elliot launches Gbajabiamila U-16 tourney for Surulere schools

A third-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot, has launched the Femi Gbajabiamila U-16 Football Competition for secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State, which will run for a month.

According to Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Works, at a press conference in Lagos, 16 school teams would participate in the tournament, designed to enhance the well-being and engagement of students amid socio-economic challenges.

Highlighting the tournament’s objectives, Elliott said, “We want to show kids we’re with them, ensuring their health, fitness, and happiness. We have been doing different things in our community trying to alleviate current hardship, but we also want to let the kids know that we are also with them.

“We should not deprive them of their health, fitness, and happiness. This is also part of efforts to engage students and shift their minds from social vices. We have so many vices these days that are prevalent in our schools, such as drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, bullying, inter-school fights, and the like, which we must address.”

He emphasised that the competition would redirect students’ energy toward positive activities, countering the prevalence of social vices like drug abuse, cultism, and cybercrime. It will also provide an interactive platform for students to share issues affecting them beyond sports.

Elliott said, “There will be a symposium on the 15th at Sam Shonibare; we are bringing actors, footballers, and musicians. This is a time of interaction for almost all the school kids where we can talk to them and listen to them as well.

“How can we help them understand certain things? It is another time of interaction with them for one full month. We are hoping that through this kind of exercise, we will get future great footballers and the like.”

The tournament kicks off on October 31 with group matches in Education District IV, and Elliott has distributed jerseys, shin guards, boots, footballs, bags, and first aid kits to each team.

Organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission, the competition that aims to identify young talents will end on November 25, with Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila expected to attend alongside other dignitaries.