The Samuel Okwaraji Foundation and family has concluded plans to organize Secondary Schools Football Championship in honor of the late Nigerian football icon.
Samuel Okwaraji tragically died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola in 1989.
On a visit to the NFF Secretariat on Thursday, Secretary of the Foundation, Achonwa Chidozie, on behalf of the Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso, presented the competition’s T-Shirt to NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON).
Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, said the initiative will not only provide young players with a national platform to showcase their skills but also keep alive the memory of Okwaraji, who symbolized patriotism.
The competition is expected to feature teams from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with matches staged at designated centers nationwide.
The NFF has commended the foundation’s vision, stating that the championship aligns with its strategic objective to bolster youth development and grassroots football. The federation has urged organizers to comply with FIFA regulations during the tournament.
Spark News Naija reports that the inaugural edition of the championship is scheduled to kick off on November 8, 2025, under the theme “Patriotism, Education, and Soccer”.