The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has commended the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) and the Bet9ja Foundation for creating a unique platform that connects Nigeria’s football legends with the next generation of grassroots players.
Adeboye, who was present at the final and trophy presentation of the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup, described the competition as a significant example of how football can be used not only to discover young talents but also to honour those who contributed to Nigeria’s football history.
The final, which produced an entertaining contest between FC Babington and FC Enegwea, ended with Babington emerging champions after a convincing 3–1 victory, earning the giant trophy and the ₦2.5 million winners’ prize.
Speaking after witnessing the final, Adeboye said the real significance of the competition went beyond the result on the pitch.
“What we have witnessed here today is much bigger than a football tournament. It is a meeting point between our football past and our football future. When we honour our legends, we are investing in the future.”
He praised the LSFA leadership under Chairman Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed and the Bet9ja Foundation for sustaining an initiative that brings former Nigerian internationals back into the grassroots environment as patrons, mentors and role models for young footballers.
The SSA said he was particularly impressed by the welfare dimension of the tournament, which brought together teams associated with 32 former Nigerian internationals, while also providing a welfare package for the football legends.
“Our former internationals gave a lot to this country. They carried the Nigerian flag, inspired generations and helped build the football culture we enjoy today. We must never allow their contributions to be forgotten.”
He noted that the presence of the former internationals around the young players created an important opportunity for knowledge transfer, mentorship and inspiration.
According to him, grassroots development should not be limited to providing young athletes with pitches and competitions, but must also create an environment where experience is transferred from one generation to another.
Adeboye congratulated FC Babington for their impressive championship victory, commending FC Enegwea for their spirited performance and all participating teams for contributing to an exciting tournament.
He also applauded the organisers for ensuring that the competition combined grassroots talent development, football heritage and the welfare of former players.
The SSA said initiatives such as the Ex-Internationals Cup align with the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to strengthening grassroots sports development by creating sustainable pathways for young Nigerians to discover and develop their talents.
“If we want a stronger future for Nigerian football, we must create more competitions, more mentorship opportunities and more partnerships. The young players need the platform, but they also need the stories, experience and guidance of those who have gone before them.”
Adeboye further called for greater collaboration among government, football associations, private-sector partners and former internationals to expand similar initiatives beyond Lagos and establish more structured grassroots competitions across the country.
He described the atmosphere at the final and presentation ceremony as a powerful reminder of the unifying force of football and expressed optimism that the Ex-Internationals Cup would continue to grow in scope and impact.
“Today, we have seen football doing what football does best — bringing people together. We have celebrated our past, supported our present and, most importantly, invested in our future.”
The SSA congratulated the organisers, participating clubs, former internationals, sponsors and officials on the successful conclusion of the 2026 edition, while urging stakeholders to sustain the momentum and continue using football as a vehicle for talent discovery, youth development and national unity.
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