By Peace Udugba
The maiden edition of the AFENI CUP 2026 Inter-Secondary School Football Tournament has been launched in Idiroko, Ogun State, as part of efforts to combat smuggling and empower young people through sports.
The tournament, organised by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, in partnership with Jonnyyeko College of Health Science and Technology, is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative designed to keep students away from illegal border activities while promoting sportsmanship, discipline and education.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the competition is aimed at redirecting the energy of young people toward productive pursuits and exposing them to opportunities beyond border smuggling.
According to him, “Smuggling robs our youth of their future. By sponsoring this competition, we are not just playing football; we are providing a platform for advocacy, teaching life skills, and showing these students that their potential extends far beyond the border tracks.”
Afeni noted that the tournament is also intended to discover and nurture football talents at an early stage, encouraging participants to consider the sport as a viable career while promoting values such as teamwork, discipline and fair play.
The competition features 12 secondary school teams drawn from across the local government area, with hundreds of students participating both on the field and in the stands.
Education authorities, youth associations and community leaders have commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help keep students in school and away from smuggling routes.
At the end of the tournament, winning schools and outstanding players will receive cash prizes, educational materials and other awards in recognition of their performances.
The competition kicked off on July 13, 2026, at Iko Gate Grammar School, Idiroko, and will conclude with a grand finale on July 24, 2026.
