The Abia State Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF), under the leadership of Mr. Joshua Chidozie Echefu, is preparing to host its maiden Easter Tournament at the Umuobiakwa Police School Field, Obingwa L.G.A. in Abia State. The event is set to mark a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to nurture and showcase local football talents from the grassroots level.
The tournament is expected to feature 45 teams across Abia State, providing a vibrant platform for young and aspiring footballers to demonstrate their skills and passion for the game. Designed with the vision of discovering raw talent, the competition aims to give grassroots players an opportunity to shine on a bigger stage and attract attention from scouts, clubs, and football authorities.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Joshua expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming tournament. “I am happy that we are hosting this in Abia State. I believe there are many talented young players scattered all over the streets of Abia, and this tournament is our way of uncovering and nurturing that talent. We want to give back to our society by creating opportunities for these young stars to excel in football,” he said.
The tournament is scheduled to run for a week from 7th April to 14th April 2026, during which the participating teams will compete in intense matches, showcasing their skills, teamwork, and determination. Mr. Joshua emphasized that the event is not just about competition but also about community development and youth empowerment through sports, as scouts from Jaguar Football Club will be present to identify and recruit the best talents.
Participants teams include:
- Fireline
- Pacific
- Elite Fountain
- Experience
- Classic
- Livinpop
- Mayor
- Billie
- Life
- Guinness
- Njaka
- Rock
- Sunshine
- Brighstars
- Emirates
- Warriors
- Ahead Eagles
- Golden Knights
- Real Madrid
- Golden Boys
- Olympians
- Abbey
- Rising Stars
- Harrison
- Young Stars
- Rukky
- Ovid
- Sammy
- Champions
- Golden City
- Greater Tomorrow
- Pepsi
- Otangele Boys
- Future Stars
- Rivers of Life
- Austino
- Tiger Boys
- Peculiar Boys
- Atlantic Lions
As the maiden edition of the Abia State GRASOF Easter Tournament approaches, it is expected to lay a strong foundation for grassroots football development in the state, inspiring more young talents to pursue their dreams and elevate the standard of football in Abia.