ORISUN Cup Kicks Off in Bariga with Football, Excitement and Opportunity

By Godswill Ekop

The ORISUN Cup has officially begun at the CMS Primary School Stadium in Bariga, and from the atmosphere around the venue, it is clear that the competition means a lot to the players, coaches and supporters.

By the time I arrived at the stadium, the environment was already lively. Players were warming up, coaches were giving instructions from the sidelines, and supporters were cheering their teams even before the first match started.

Once the games got underway, the energy around the pitch increased. Every strong tackle, important save and goal brought a reaction from the crowd. The players were determined, and it was obvious that they were not there simply to make up the numbers.

For many of the young footballers taking part, the ORISUN Cup is an opportunity to show what they can do in a competitive setting. Some of them may not regularly get the chance to play in organised tournaments, so every match gives them valuable experience and a platform to be noticed.

More Than Winning Matches

One thing that stood out during the opening games was the seriousness of the coaches.

They constantly spoke to their players about positioning, teamwork and discipline. Even when the matches became tense, the players were encouraged to remain focused and respect the decisions of the officials.

That made it clear that the ORISUN Cup is not only about lifting a trophy. The tournament is also helping young players understand the attitude and responsibility that come with competitive football.

Nigeria has many talented young footballers, but talent alone is not always enough. Players need regular matches, good coaching and competitions where they can test themselves against other teams.

The ORISUN Cup is providing that kind of opportunity.

Organising the Tournament Requires Commitment

Watching the matches also made me think about the work and money required to organise a competition of this size.

It is easy for people to arrive at the venue, watch the matches and leave without considering what happens behind the scenes. The organisers have to secure the venue, prepare fixtures, arrange match officials, provide awards and handle several other expenses.

Records made available during the competition showed that about ₦1.3 million had already been spent on venue-related costs and awards.

About ₦600,000 was used to secure the playing venue for two days, while additional money has been set aside for prize money.

The Under-17 champions will receive ₦750,000, while the winners of the Under-15 category will receive ₦500,000.

The best coach in both the under-15 and under-17 categories will receive ₦100,000 each, while the under-15 best player will receive ₦50,000.

There are also awards for the Best Goalkeeper, the Most Valuable Player and the team that finishes third in the Under-17 category.

These prizes give the players and coaches something meaningful to compete for. They also show that the organisers are making an effort to reward the work being done by the participating teams.

Remembering the Stars of the 2025 Edition

Devine FC set a high standard in the 2025 edition after winning both the Under-15 and Under-17 categories.

Their coaches were also recognised for their achievements. Coach Oluwaseun Samuel Adebayo won the Under-15 Best Coach award, while Coach George was named the Under-17 Best Coach.

However, Devine FC will not be available to defend either of their trophies in this year’s tournament. Their absence means that new champions will emerge in both categories, giving the participating teams an even greater opportunity to write their own names into the tournament’s history.

The 2025 edition also produced two outstanding goalscorers from Flying Stars FC.

Sodiq Hassan finished as the Under-15 top scorer, while Samuel Dike emerged as the leading scorer in the Under-17 category in the maiden edition in 2023, where he also emerged as a golden boot winner in U15 with 9 goals.

Their performances showed that the ORISUN Cup does not only celebrate winning teams. It also recognises individual players who distinguish themselves through their goals, discipline and contribution to their teams.

With the tournament now underway, attention will be on the current group of players to see who can follow in their footsteps and emerge as the top scorers of the 2026 edition.

Football Bringing the Community Together

The tournament is also creating excitement beyond the pitch.

Parents, friends and football supporters came to watch the games and encourage the players. Local vendors were also busy attending to people around the stadium.

For a while, the venue became a meeting point for people who may not normally gather in the same place. Some came to support a particular team, while others simply wanted to enjoy the football.

That community feeling is one of the things that makes grassroots competitions special.

The players may be the main attraction, but the presence of families and supporters gives them more confidence and makes the matches more enjoyable.

Grassroots Football Still Needs Support

The opening of the ORISUN Cup has again shown that there is no shortage of football talent in local communities.

What is often missing is the opportunity for young players to compete regularly and be seen by the right people.

Tournaments such as the ORISUN Cup can help close that gap. They allow players to gain match experience and give coaches, scouts and football followers a chance to identify promising talents.

However, competitions like this cannot grow through the efforts of the organisers alone. More support is needed from sponsors, businesses, football stakeholders and members of the community.

With stronger support, the tournament can reach more teams, improve its organisation and create more opportunities for young footballers.

As the ORISUN Cup continues in Bariga, the players will be hoping to win their matches and take their teams as far as possible.

But whatever the final results may be, the tournament is already giving young footballers something important: a place to compete, improve and believe that their football journey can go further.