Organisers of the RAAF Lagos Female Unity Cup have confirmed that all participating teams will receive ₦100,000 each as a participation fee, in a move designed to support grassroots women’s football development in Nigeria.
The Lagos State Football Association LSFA, serving as the event’s technical partner, announced the initiative. LSFA Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed stated that Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam, the tournament’s visionary founder, will personally disburse the appearance fees in cash. In addition to these participation incentives, cash prizes will also be awarded to the first, second, and third-placed teams.
Twelve teams are set to compete in this grassroots tournament: Victorious Angels, CATS Ladies, Ghetto Tigers Ladies Feeders, FC Phoenix, SGH Sports Academy, Ablaze Amazons, Unizee Shella FC, Edufoot Starlets, Unification Talent, Victory Queens, Ayisat Yusuf FC, and Dannaz Ladies Feeders.
The matches will be held at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Waterfront, Lagos, from April 23 to 24, 2025. Partners supporting the event include Addosser Microfinance Bank, Ivory Health Club, DigKolo, Centre Grace Assembly, the Lagos State Sports Commission, and the LSFA.
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Editorial
The decision to provide every participating team in the RAAF Lagos Female Unity Cup with a ₦100,000 appearance fee is not just a commendable gesture it’s a clear message. A message that women’s football at the grassroots level deserves tangible investment and meaningful recognition.
Far too often, female teams operate on the margins, battling for access, attention, and resources. This tournament, spearheaded by Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam and backed by committed partners, offers more than just a platform it offers dignity. When players and clubs are supported financially, it affirms their value and validates their contribution to the game.
It’s also worth noting that the use of Mobolaji Johnson Arena, a prestigious venue in Nigerian football, elevates the competition’s profile. This is how you change narratives by treating female footballers with the same respect and ceremony afforded to their male counterparts.
Grassroots sports thrive when vision meets support. Initiatives like this plant the seeds of future national stars while strengthening community ties. The hope now is that this isn’t a one-off event but the beginning of a long term commitment to the women’s game.
Let this tournament spark a ripple effect across other states, in other sports, and throughout the country.
Did You Know?
- The Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium, is the oldest football ground in Nigeria, dating back to the 1930s.
- The Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has introduced several youth and women’s football initiatives over the past five years to boost local talent.
- Ayisat Yusuf FC is named after former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf, who played at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Addosser Microfinance Bank, a sponsor of the Unity Cup, has supported over 100 small-scale sports and youth development projects in Lagos State.
- The Unity Cup concept was inspired by similar tournaments in Scandinavia that blend competitive play with community bonding and social inclusion.
