By ADERONKE OJO

Royal FC emerged champions of the second annual football tournament organised by the Gospel Promoters Network Ministry (GPNM) after defeating Zone 5 Warriors FC 3–1 in the final played on Sunday at the Premiere Academy Stadium, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the month-long tournament, whih commenced on July 30 and ended on Aug. 30, featured six grassroots football teams across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Future Hopes Academy secured third place after defeating Selected FC 2–0, while Golden Boys Football Club finished fourth.

Speaking on the purpose of the tournament,Pastor Abraham Christ, Overseer of GPNM and sponsor of the tournament, said the ministry started visiting grassroots sports teams across the FCT to encourage players, share the word of God and support their development.

Christ said the ministry later introduced sporting tournaments in football, basketball and volleyball as a practical way of encouraging young people and recognising positive contributions at the grassroots.

“We talk about the different vices happening in the society, but there are also people doing good things at the grassroots. We need to reach out to them, encourage them and let them know that what they are doing is good.

“ He explained that the tournament was not primarily about the prize money but about promoting unity, love, peace and fellowship among the participating teams, adding that the prizes were only tokens for recognising excellence,” he said .

The overseer said GPNM also visited some of the teams regularly after training sessions to share the gospel, encourage the players and provide modest support, stressing that positive transformation was a gradual process.

“ The GPNM regularly visits , several of the teams, sometimes spending only 15 to 20 minutes with them after training to share the gospel, encourage them and provide small forms of support.

“ I believes that transformation does not happen overnight, but that consistent engagement can gradually influence the players attitudes and choices,” he said.

Abdulkadir Gobir-Agboola, a missionary with GPNM and founder of Platinum Billionaires Minds Free School, said the ministry was established to take evangelism into different spheres of life, including education and sports.

Gobir-Agboola said the initiative was informed by the observation that many footballers did not attend church services regularly, hence the decision to take the gospel directly to them through their sporting environment.

Adenike Gobir-Agboola, also a GPNM missionary, said the ministry’s regular outreach had led some players to embrace Christianity and adopt more disciplined lifestyles, adding that the programme had also strengthened unity among the young footballers.

David Bartholomew, Chairman of the Nigerian Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter, commended GPNM for supporting grassroots football but advised the organisers to involve more professional coaches, referees and technical personnel in subsequent editions to improve the standard of the competition.

“ The association have partner with the organisers to improve future editions of the tournament,” he said .

Amb. Olufemi Ajilore, former Super Eagles player and Nigeria Olympic silver medallist, described the tournament as a valuable platform for youth empowerment.

He also urged stakeholders, the media and other organisations to support its expansion.

“Football is something that brings us together. It is a unifying factor and also a tool that can help curb crime. Some of these young people are focused on becoming great footballers rather than engaging in criminal activities.

“ He called on the media, sports stakeholders and other organisations to support the tournament and help give it wider visibility across the FCT,” he said .

Sunday Onwe, Managing Director of Future Hopes Academy, said his team participated not merely for the prize money but because of the love for football, the fellowship and the positive values promoted by the organisers.

Saheed Adekanye, Head Coach of Golden Boys FC, who won the inaugural 2025 edition, also commended the organisers, while Selected FC officials pledged to return stronger in the next edition.

NAN reports that the tournament, which featured six grassroots football teams from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was organised by GPNM as part of its efforts to combine sports development with evangelism, youth empowerment and the promotion of positive values.

NAN also reports that at the end of the final, Royal FC received a cash prize of ₦70,000, a trophy, medals and certificates of participation. While Zone 5 Warriors FC, the runners-up, received ₦50,000, medals and certificates of participation.

Future Hopes Academy, which finished third, received ₦40,000, medals and certificates of participation, while Golden Boys Football Club, who finished fourth, received ₦25,000, medals and certificates of participation.(NAN)