Thirty-two teams are competing for a N5m prize package as the Lagos State Government unveiled the second season of the Lagos Street Soccer Stars Oshodi tournament on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with teams presented with playing kits ahead of a two-week knockout competition, The PUNCH reports.

The tournament, themed “Oshodi Hidden Talents,” is designed to discover and promote grassroots football talent across the state while steering young people away from drug abuse.

It is organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports, Adebanji Atewogboye, popularly known as SKIBANJ, in collaboration with First Bank Nigeria Plc, under an initiative of Sporty Lagos Naija Limited. It forms part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s efforts to fund grassroots sports development across the state’s fifty-seven local government areas.

Atewogboye said the programme, which has run since last year, was designed to give young people structure and show that the state government was investing in their futures.

“The programme has been running from last year to identify hidden talents, give them structure, and show that the governor, Sanwo-Olu, is investing in their dreams,” he said.

As part of the unveiling, the Chief Superintendent of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Lagos Strategic Command in Ikoyi, Ayenigbara Samuel, sensitised the young participants against substance abuse.

“Footballers can perform naturally well if they abstain from hard drugs. Abuse of drugs is destructive. We urge you to choose life over hard drugs,” Samuel said.

The event drew community leaders, coaches and residents despite a light drizzle, along with the All Progressives Congress local government chairman for Oshodi-Isolo, Saheed Animashaun, who commended the organiser for strengthening the Sanwo-Olu administration’s youth development agenda.

“What we witnessed at the programme is a lifetime programme in Oshodi. We have to appreciate the Lagos State Governor and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports for putting up the event,” Animashaun said, describing it as part of the dividends of democracy under President Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.

In Sunday’s opening fixtures, Dosunmu Street defeated Ariyibi Oke Street on penalties after their match ended goalless, while Popoola Street beat Adeyemo Street 2-1.

Olorunishola Street rounded off the day’s action with a three-one win over Arowojobe Street.

Also in attendance were the Secretary of the APC Apex Body, Mumuni Olori, along with Femi Akeju, Ipadeola Lawanson, Saheed Dokunmu, Kabiru Oriowo, Dupe Ogundeyi and Linda Jacob.

The competition, sponsored by Sanwo-Olu and First Bank Nigeria Plc as title sponsor, alongside the King Ogunremi Foundation and Dangote Salt Plc as community sponsors, will run until August 15, 2026. (PUNCH)