A total of 20 teams are set to participate in the inaugural CACATIN Football Championship scheduled to kick off on October 21 at the Abesan Youth Centre, Alimosho, Lagos State.

The tournament organiser, Tayo Adeyemo, made this known during a press conference and draws held at the corporate headquarters of CACATIN Pharmaceuticals, the sponsors of the competition.

According to Adeyemo, the seven-a-side grassroots tournament will run for a month, featuring group stage matches before concluding with the finals on November 21 at the same venue.

Adeyemo, known for organising quality community-based sporting events through his Wonderland Events Company, assured that the rules of the game would be strictly enforced, adding that any breach would attract appropriate sanctions.

Chairman and Managing Director of CACATIN Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Olatunji Yusuf Lawal, said the company decided to sponsor the tournament as part of its corporate social responsibility, aimed at engaging and empowering youths within the Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area.

“As a responsible company, we see this as an opportunity to give back to the community where we operate. This competition will keep our youths positively engaged and provide a platform for them to showcase their talents. Hopefully, some will get the opportunity to play at higher levels,” he said.

Also speaking, the company’s Technical Director, Alhaji Olamilekan Lawal, commended the organiser for initiating the championship and expressed optimism that the event would be successful and hitch-free.

The Chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Opeyemi Akindele, represented by her Chief of Staff, Mr. Tolulope Falope, lauded the pharmaceutical firm for sponsoring the tournament, describing it as a gesture worthy of emulation by other companies in the area.

Following the draws, Group A comprises Midas FC, Adwaak Sport, Bravo G, and Ahead FC. Group B features MSP, Rainbow FC, Royal Babes, and Kruse FC. Group C includes B. Utd, Destiny Reign, Achievers, and Skoda FC, while Group D has V.F.S Global, Wolves Victory FC, and Favour FC. Alimosho, Lagos Sudan, FC Shalon, and R.L FC make up Group E.

The overall winner of the competition will receive N200,000, a trophy, and medals. The first and second runners-up will receive N100,000 and N50,000 respectively, along with medals.

Individual honours will also be presented for the Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, and Best Behaved Team. All finalists will receive sets of jerseys, while all participating teams will get match balls courtesy of Prostar Sports.