The final match of the 11th Channels International Kids Championship held on Monday 27th May at the Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos Island. The competition which had pupils from primary schools under the age of thirteen from across Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic came to an interesting end when the team from Rivers State beat their counterparts from Kwara State one goal to nil. The winning goal was scored in the first half with a free kick opportunity. The Rivers State team was crowned champions of the 11th edition of Channels Kids Football Championship. The host State, Lagos State came third place after beating their counterparts from Benin Republic one goal to nil.
This competition is a good platform to identify talent early and groom them for the national football team. Channels Television is doing a great job of providing such a platform which in my opinion should silence every excuse of not been able to identify talented footballers early enough.
I will like to urge the Nigerian Football Federation to ensure they send representatives to such events with the sole aim of scouting for potential football stars that can be groomed for the junior and senior national teams. I also look forward to the commencement of a kid’s football competition for female footballers in Nigeria. This will encourage more young girls to participate in sports, and feed the national teams as time goes on.
One thing I liked about the competition was that even the referees were young people who have already started a career in officiating. This is very commendable and should be promoted so they get more visibility and opportunities for training.
Congratulations to the pupils of Banham Primary School in Rivers State.
