‘Channels kids’ Cup players will graduate into Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has declared its readiness to nurture young players, who pass through the Channels National Kids’ Cup into the senior national team, Super Eagles, in the next seven years.

This year’s edition of the competition will kick off today in Lagos. Sixteen primary schools from states will participate in the competition, which will end on May 27.

At the unveiling of jersey for the participating schools yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, the First Vice President of the NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi, said that the Federation would play its part in making sure the kids become part and parcel of the Super Eagles in seven years time.

“Seven years from now, these kids will be on the verge of playing for the Super Eagles. They will be 20 years by then, and I am sure some of them will make it.”

Akinwunmi, however, warned the Games Masters of the various schools not to engage in age cheat, adding that the NFF would not tolerate it.

The chairman of the Channels Kids’ Cup committee, Steve Judo, revealed that the competition was the concept of their Chairman, John Momoh, due to his love for children.

“It started as invitational tournament in 2009, but in 2003, we decided to go national to meet the demand of other states. We thank Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for giving us free facilities, and also Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for his continuous support.”