The Chairman of Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Engr. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali has inaugurated the maiden edition of the Lekki Beach Kids Cup 2026, describing the tournament as a strategic initiative to discover young football talents and promote grassroots sports development across the council.
The tournament, the first beach football competition for primary schools in Lekki LCDA, attracted pupils, teachers, parents, sports enthusiasts and community leaders to its opening ceremony.
Declaring the competition open, Kasali said the initiative was conceived to provide children with a platform to develop their football talents while instilling values such as discipline, teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship.
He described the tournament as an investment in the future of children in the council, expressing confidence that it would serve as a pipeline for nurturing the next generation of football stars.
“The Lekki Beach Kids Cup is more than a football tournament; it is an investment in the dreams, talents and future of our children. Through this initiative, we are creating opportunities for young people to develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and a lifelong passion for sports,” he said.
Kasali reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth development through sports, stressing that every child deserves the opportunity to excel both academically and athletically.
According to him, the competition is aimed at identifying hidden talents, building character and laying a solid foundation for sustainable grassroots football development within the LCDA.
The council boss also commended the Supervisor for Sports Shonaike Olatokunbo, the Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs, the Education Department and members of the Local Organising Committee for their efforts in ensuring the successful take-off of the tournament.
The opening fixture produced an emphatic performance from Community Primary School, Folu, which defeated Local Government Primary School, Ilege, 5-0 to record the first victory of the tournament.
Basiru Faruk and Atanda Emmanuel scored two goals each, while Mabami Ayokunle added the fifth goal to seal a commanding victory for Community Primary School, Folu.
The maiden edition of the Lekki Beach Kids Cup features 16 public primary schools across the LCDA. The participating schools are Anglican Primary School, Osoroko; Local Government Primary School, Ilege; Community Primary School, Folu; RCM Primary School, Olomowewe; Local Government Primary School, Ide; Local Government Primary School, Oriyanrin; RCM Primary School, Lekki; RCM Primary School, Idata; RCM Primary School, Idotun; RCM Primary School, Lepia; RCM Primary School, Okunraye; Community Primary School, Igboodola; Community Primary School, Otolu; UPE Primary School, Siriwon; Local Government Primary School, Ise; and UPE Primary School, Akodo Ise.
Kasali expressed optimism that the Beach Kids Cup would become an annual sporting event capable of producing future football stars while further strengthening grassroots sports development in Lekki LCDA.
