The stage is set for the fifth edition of the Seamoriow Sports U-15 League Championship after the official draw for the competition was conducted on Tuesday, August 18 at the Seamoriow Sports Complex, with former champions, finalists and a new generation of grassroots football hopefuls set to battle for youth football supremacy.
The draw which had officials of the Lagos State FA, the Alimosho Football Coaches and Lagos State Coaches council in attendance ushers in the final phase of preparations for the championship, which has continued to grow into one of the platforms providing competitive opportunities for young footballers in Lagos.
This year’s competition is being held under the theme, “Run in Grace,” with the accompanying message, “Surrender – Strive – Succeed.” The organisers say the theme reflects the broader philosophy behind the competition, which goes beyond winning matches to encouraging young players to develop, compete and pursue their football ambitions.
The 2026 edition is scheduled to kick off on August 24, with the grand finale billed for September 6 at the Seamoriow Sports Complex in Ikotun, Lagos.
With the groups now drawn, attention will turn to the participating teams as they begin preparations for what promises to be a competitive campaign. The presence of familiar contenders alongside emerging academies is expected to add another dimension to the race for the title.
The stakes have also been raised this year, with the eventual champions set to receive ₦2 million, while the runners-up will earn ₦1 million and the third-placed team ₦500,000. Individual excellence will equally be rewarded, with ₦300,000 earmarked for the Most Valuable Player and ₦200,000 each for the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.
The increased rewards come as the Seamoriow U-15 League enters its fifth edition, building on previous editions that have attracted considerable interest from academies and youth teams within Lagos’ grassroots football community.
Beyond the prizes, however, the competition remains centred on talent identification and development. Seamoriow Sports has consistently positioned the championship as an avenue through which young footballers can gain competitive experience, showcase their abilities and attract the attention of coaches, scouts and other football development stakeholders.
Speaking after the draw, Chairman of Seamoriow Sports, Oluwaseyi Amos, said the fifth edition represents another opportunity to give young footballers a platform to compete, learn and take meaningful steps in their development.
This fifth edition is very special to us because it reflects how far the Seamoriow U-15 League has come and the responsibility we have to continue creating the right environment for young players to grow. Our theme, ‘Run in Grace,’ is not just a slogan. We want these boys to understand that while they must strive for excellence and compete with everything they have, they must also conduct themselves with discipline, humility and respect for the game.
“We expect a very competitive championship, but beyond who wins the trophy, our greatest satisfaction will come from seeing players discover themselves, improve and take another step towards fulfilling their potential. We want every player to leave this competition better than they came, whether or not their team wins the championship.”
Amos added that the organisers were committed to making the fifth edition a meaningful experience for the participating teams and players, with the competition providing an opportunity for young footballers to test themselves in a structured and competitive environment.
With the groups now decided, the focus shifts to the players, coaches and academies as they prepare for the opening fixtures on August 24. The message behind this year’s championship remains clear: surrender to the process, strive for excellence and succeed with grace.
As the countdown to August 24 continues, the groups have been drawn, the teams are preparing and the race for the Seamoriow U-15 League trophy is officially underway.
By September 6, one team will emerge as champion.
For the young players taking part, however, the tournament could represent the beginning of something much bigger, an opportunity to run in grace, strive for excellence and take another step towards fulfilling their football dreams.
