Guardian

ON Monday May 27, the Children’s Day, the Campos mini stadium will come alive when four teams battle in the final games of the maiden edition of the MRS Under-12 Kids soccer competition.

For the top prize, Damilola Tailor FC of Mainland will slug it out with Lagos Island’s Jokers Star FC, while the third match will feature Success FC of Mushin and B. United FC of Ebute Meta.

To berth in the final, Damilola Tailor FC defeated Success FC with a lone goal, just as Joker Star FC overcame B. Unit FC with the same margin.

Over 32 teams drawn from local councils in Lagos competed in the tournament.

In a press briefing to unveil programme for the grand finale, the Corporate Affairs Manager of MRS, Otunba Jubrin said the competition is aimed at improving the standard of football at grassroots level.

“We have examples of players, who were discovered at the tender age by the same process we are embarking on, which actually prompted the MRS Under-12 soccer competition,” he said.

Jubrin noted that the major financier of sport is the government, adding, however, that there is the need for like-minded organisations to affect the society positively.

Secretary General of National Youth Soccer Association (NYSA), Ganiu Aliu said it has become imperative to continually scout for young and vibrant talents who will represent the country at major competitions.

According to him, “the main aim of the association is to help discover and develop young talented players through the staging of various competitions over two decades, hence, MRS Under-12 soccer competition will not be an exception.

“MRS Group decided to partner with us as their own way of contributing to the development of the society. Despite the downturn of the economy, they still found means to bring smiles to the faces of our kids,” he said.