Super Falcons star and decorated footballer Folashade Ijamlusi delivered a powerful message of encouragement and advocacy for youth development at the inaugural Future Starz Championship. The tournament, organized by the Springsoca Football Academy, aims to unearth and showcase football talent within the private school system.
Ijamlusi, who served as a special guest, did more than just attend; she actively participated in the presentation of medals and trophies to the young winners. As a celebrated figure who won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, her presence lent significant prestige to the maiden event.
Speaking at the event, Ijamlusi passionately urged the organizers and other stakeholders to continue increasing their investment in young athletes. She emphasized that nurturing talent is crucial for the future of Nigerian football, drawing on her personal journey as a powerful example.
”This championship is a great idea, something to start with,” Ijamlusi remarked. “I am really grateful to Springsoca Academy; they came together to encourage the young girls and boys. Just like me, I was discovered on the street while growing up and came out of there. So it’s something good that it can come out again to help the students in private schools.”
Her words also highlighted the academy’s role in facilitating discovery and creating a structured pathway for football development, irrespective of a child’s background.
The Future Starz Championship was officially titled the Private Schools Invitational Tournament. It successfully lived up to its expectations, offering a thrilling showcase of high-level young football talent and sportsmanship among the participating private schools.
The Director of the Springsoca Academy, Dapo Emmanuel, provided insight into the event’s specific targeting. He clarified that while the academy has traditionally focused on grassroots tournaments, the goal of this particular championship was to “take football to the private schools”.
Emmanuel also emphasized that the academy remains dedicated to its foundational mission, stating that they have “always been there to help the youths” through their established grassroots programmes. This new initiative is a strategic expansion of that commitment.
The one-day championship was efficiently organized and saw strong participation across different age and gender categories:
The Boys’ Category saw the most schools competing, with a total of six schools comprising students from both the junior and senior secondary school levels, while only two schools took part in the girls’ category, highlighting the importance of female football development.
The success of this inaugural championship signals a promising future for the collaboration between Springsoca Football Academy and the private school system, ensuring more young players have the opportunity to develop their skills and compete at a high level.
