32 teams vie for N5m at Lagos Street Soccer S2

A total of 32 teams are set to battle it out in the second season of the Lagos Street Soccer S2 tournament, with a prize pool of N5 million up for grabs. The Lagos State Government launched the event on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with teams receiving playing kits before a two-week knockout competition. The tournament, dubbed "Oshodi Hidden Talents," aims to uncover and nurture football talent in the state while steering young individuals away from drug abuse.

Organized by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports, SKIBANJ, in partnership with First Bank Nigeria Plc, the competition aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's commitment to funding grassroots sports development across Lagos' 57 local government areas.

During the unveiling, Ayenigbara Samuel, the Chief Superintendent of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, educated the young athletes on the dangers of substance abuse. He emphasized that abstaining from hard drugs can lead to better performance, stating, "Footballers can perform naturally well if they abstain from hard drugs. Abuse of drugs is destructive. We urge you to choose life over hard drugs."

Despite a light drizzle, the event attracted community leaders, coaches, and residents, including the All Progressives Congress local government chairman for Oshodi-Isolo, Saheed Animashaun. Animashaun praised the organizers for bolstering the Sanwo-Olu administration's youth development initiatives. The competition, sponsored by Sanwo-Olu, First Bank Nigeria Plc, the King Ogunremi Foundation, and Dangote Salt Plc, is set to run until August 15, 2026.

Peter, a sports reporter for The PUNCH, covers combat sports, special features, and human-interest stories.