Not less than 82 secondary schools stormed the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, as the 2025 edition of the Opeifa Cup kicked off in thrilling fashion, showcasing some of Lagos State’s brightest young handball talents.
The annual championship, founded seven years ago by Mrs. Adeola Opeifa, former Chairperson of the Lagos State Handball Association, has grown into one of the state’s most influential grassroots sports programmes — producing players who now represent Nigeria at junior and senior levels.
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Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mrs. Opeifa reaffirmed her commitment to youth development through handball, describing the competition as a powerful platform for talent discovery and character building.
“This programme has changed lives,” Opeifa said. “Some of these children were picked from the streets and brought back to school through this initiative. Today, they are disciplined, focused, and representing Nigeria at international levels.”
She revealed that standout performers from this year’s edition would be groomed to represent Lagos State at the next National Youth Games, with additional training sessions already planned to prepare them for future competitions.
“We expected 20 teams from each of the six educational districts, and we’re proud to have 82 schools participating this year — both junior and senior,” Opeifa added.
Coach Daniel Yohanna, one of the technical officials at the tournament, described the level of play as “impressive,” praising the young athletes for their passion, coordination, and growing mastery of the game.
“The Opeifa Cup has become a breeding ground for national talent,” Yohanna said. “It’s encouraging to see schools embracing handball again at this level.”
Among the participating schools were Whitesand College, Herbert Macaulay, Ijaye, Igbobi, Ransome Kuti, Gaskiya, Aje, Ikeja, Okesuna, Vetland, and Eletu, among others — all competing fiercely for top honours in both the junior and senior categories.
The Opeifa Cup 2025 once again underscores the vital role of private sponsorship and school sports in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of athletes.
