The maiden edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) South-South Under-15 Boys Football Championship concluded on Friday, 20 December 2025, at the Sharks Football Club Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a renewed call for sustained youth engagement through sports.
The week-long tournament featured teams from the South-South geopolitical zone, alongside representatives from Abia and Imo States. It aimed at promoting discipline, unity and positive youth development amid Nigeria’s security challenges.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed sports as a critical non-kinetic tool for engaging young people constructively. He described the championship as a reflection of collective commitment to nurturing disciplined, focused and talented youths, noting that the initiative went beyond football to instil values such as teamwork, resilience, fair play, patriotism and respect. The CDS was represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mr Emmanuel Ndah, commended the CDS and organisers for hosting the tournament in Port Harcourt. He noted that the championship fostered unity and discipline among participants from the South-South, Abia and Imo States, while reinforcing sports as an effective tool for youth engagement and national development.
Earlier, during the third-place match, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, advised the young athletes to avoid social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, indiscipline, peer pressure and truancy. He urged them to embrace sports as a means of building character, discipline and teamwork, stressing that discipline in sports translates to discipline in everyday life. He also thanked the CDS for entrusting 6 Division with hosting the tournament, describing it as timely ahead of the yuletide season.
In a vote of thanks, an Imo State Military athlete, Elijah Dozie, expressed appreciation to the CDS for his commitment to youth and sports development. He also thanked fellow participants for the exposure and friendships gained, pledging continued discipline and excellence on and off the pitch.
At the end of the competition, Team Imo State Military emerged champions after a closely contested 2–1 victory over Team Edo State in the final. Team Edo State finished as runners-up, while Team Akwa Ibom State secured third place following a penalty shootout. Medals and trophies were presented at the ceremony, coordinated by the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Air Vice Marshal Tunde Phillips.
Overall, the tournament underscored the commitment of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to youth empowerment and positive engagement through sports.
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