The excitement of grassroots football once again lit up Ifo, Ogun State, as the fourth edition of the Bavis Summer Camp officially commenced this August, bringing together budding talents and passionate supporters.
Families, sports lovers, and community members have been turning out in numbers to back their favourite teams and celebrate the rise of future football stars. The camp, organised by Bavis Sports Institute the organisers of the Kowope Football Championship, Ayomide Gold Cup, and Ozoya Soccer League U13 has steadily built a reputation as a breeding ground for young talent.
The 2025 edition opened on Sunday, 10 August, with official matches kicking off on Wednesday, 13 August, following thorough screening across all age categories. A seminar for coaches was held on Saturday, 16 August, while the grand finale and closing ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, 25 August.
Participants will compete across various categories including U10, U13, U15, U17, free age, female, and athletics. All matches are taking place at African Church Primary School, Alaja Abule-Ogun, Ifo, ensuring a central hub for both competition and community spirit.
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Editorial
We believe the return of the Bavis Summer Camp highlights the vital role grassroots football plays in shaping Nigeria’s sporting future. For too long, the narrative of talent discovery has been centred on elite academies, while the true lifeblood of football programmes like this has often gone unnoticed.
When young players lace up their boots in Ifo, they are not just chasing a ball, they are chasing dreams that can transform their lives. Each tournament offers a stage where raw passion meets guidance, and where boys and girls learn lessons in teamwork, discipline, and resilience. This is why events like the Bavis Summer Camp deserve our full support.
We must also acknowledge the commitment of organisers who continue to create opportunities at a time when funding for youth sports is often scarce. Their vision ensures that grassroots football remains a reliable pipeline for national and international recognition. It is in these dusty pitches and local schools that the next generation of Nigerian football heroes first learns to compete.
As a nation hungry for sporting success, we should embrace these platforms with enthusiasm. If we nurture our grassroots, we strengthen the foundation of our future teams. And so, the cheers from Ifo today may very well echo into stadiums across the world tomorrow.
Did You Know?
- Ogun State has produced several professional footballers, including ex-Super Eagles captain Taiwo Oloyede.
- Grassroots football tournaments in Nigeria often double as community festivals, with local food, music, and cultural displays.
- FIFA estimates that 265 million people worldwide actively play football, making it the most popular sport globally.
- Studies show that children involved in grassroots sports are 20% more likely to pursue higher education.
- The African Church Primary School in Ifo, now a hub for youth tournaments, was originally established over 60 years ago as a mission school.
