As anticipation reaches fever pitch across the Pacesetter State, the stage is set for what many are calling a defining moment for grassroots football in Oyo State.
Beginning February 25–26, the Ex Ibadan Professional Footballers Association (EIPFA) will launch a statewide secondary school football tournament spanning 10 zones and featuring 80 schools — a bold initiative already stirring conversations in classrooms, staff rooms, and football circles alike.
For years, stakeholders have voiced concern over the steady dip in sporting dominance in a state once revered as a cradle of football excellence. The roar of packed stands, the rise of local heroes, and the steady pipeline of talent to national teams once defined the sporting culture. In recent times, however, performances have struggled to match that proud legacy.
Now, EIPFA Chairman, Temitope Obideyi, believes the turnaround must begin at the roots.
In a recent interview with Boluwaji Ogunmola on BCOS TV, Obideyi admitted that while milestones have been celebrated, “there is still a long way to go.” His call was direct: structured planning, the right technical personnel, and sustainable youth development must replace short-term ambition.
The tournament kicking off tomorrow is the first major test of that promise.
Across 10 zones, 20 reputable scouts — two per zone — will closely monitor matches, identifying standout performers for the next phase of trials scheduled for March 19–28. From there, 30 exceptional athletes will be selected for comprehensive support, blending football development with continued education.
Organizers say the initiative goes beyond talent discovery. It is a long-term pathway designed to produce players capable of representing Nigeria at under-15, under-17, and under-20 levels.
For talented players outside Ibadan, relocation opportunities are available — subject to parental consent — ensuring that geography does not become a barrier to opportunity.
As school teams gather and boots are tightly laced for kickoff, tension and hope hang thick in the air. For 80 schools, this is far more than just another tournament fixture. For hundreds of students, it represents a rare opportunity — a stage where raw talent can be seen, dreams can take flight, and futures can be rewritten in 90 minutes.
The whistle blows tomorrow.
And with it, perhaps, the long-awaited revival of football in Oyo State.
Boluwaji Ogunmola
Media
Local Organizing Committee
