32 teams battle for $600 as inaugural U-20 Health Champions Cup holds in Lagos

Thirty-two teams will participate in the inaugural Nigerian edition of the one-day Health Champions Cup competition, said the organisers on Thursday.

The tournament is scheduled for Saturday at the Alade Sports Centre, Ajasa Command, Ipaja, Lagos.

The competition — strictly for U-21 boys and which will be played in the 7-Aside format — is a pan-African event that has been held in Uganda and Kenya.

The initiative, organised by Green Sports Africa in partnership with MasterCard Foundation, provides a platform for young footballers to compete while also getting trained to be health champions.

Players and coaches of participating teams will receive training in hygiene, disease prevention, mental wellbeing and reproductive health before the competition kicks off.

“The eventual winners of the tournament will take home a trophy, gold medals and a cash prize of $600 while the runners-up will receive silver medals and a cash prize of $200,” said Kassim Ismaily, director at Green Sports Africa.

Outstanding performers identified at the one-day competition will have the opportunity to advance their football careers through the Green Sports Africa network.