In its seventh year, the Cohesion Football Tournament is continuing to grow, bringing young footballers together from diverse communities and offering a platform for both athletic and personal development.
In an interview with Okay News, the tournament’s convener, Damilare Obagbemi, shared, “It has been one step at a time since its inception. As you all know, the objective of the tournament is to encourage young children to go to school and to play football.”
What started with just seven teams has now expanded to 48 teams, including both male and female participants.
Obagbemi emphasized that the tournament is not just about football but about “promoting unity, promoting togetherness, and showing these young chaps that they can become who they want to be using football as a tool.”
He highlighted several success stories, saying, “We have kids from different clubs who have represented Nigeria in Germany. We have players who are in Turkey now, and they have passed through this project.”
As Okay News reports, the tournament is a celebration of what young people can achieve when given the right support.
Obagbemi’s message to parents and community leaders is clear: “Support your kids, listen to them, and encourage their dreams. Ensure they also go to school, because that is what we preach—balancing education and sports.”
Indeed, the presence of scouts at this year’s event underscores the growing reputation of the tournament.
From local talent finding opportunities in European youth leagues to young athletes who balance academics with sports, the Cohesion Football Tournament is proving to be a launchpad for future stars.
