Spires 5-Aside Season 3 Kicks Off with Grand Draw Ceremony, Expands Global Vision for Grassroots Talent
By Victor Ottah

The much-anticipated media parley and draws ceremony for Season 3 of the Spires 5-Aside tournament got off to an impressive start, drawing a full house of media professionals, key stakeholders, and representatives of all 40 participating teams across five divisions in Lagos. The event set the tone for what promises to be another exciting chapter in Nigeria’s leading grassroots football competition.

In his keynote address, the Convener, Dr. Bankole Allibay, outlined ambitious plans to expand the tournament’s reach through strategic partnerships with clubs across Africa, the Americas, and Europe. He emphasized that these collaborations are designed to create scouting pathways for emerging talents discovered through the Spires platform, offering them opportunities to advance their football careers on the global stage.

Dr. Allibay also reaffirmed the tournament’s commitment to holistic player development through its Tech Learning Programme. He noted that equipping young players with essential digital skills such as coding, programming, and proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite remains a priority. According to him, these competencies will not only support participants during their playing years but also ensure long-term career sustainability beyond football.

The highlight of the event was the official draw ceremony, which determined fixtures across the five divisions. The divisional rounds are set to kick off with the Ikorodu Division on April 11, followed by fixtures in Epe, Lagos Island, and Badagry, before culminating in the Ikeja Division.

Widely regarded as Nigeria’s premier grassroots football tournament, the Spires 5Aside competition continues to distinguish itself by offering free participation to all teams. Each season, it raises the bar by rewarding outstanding performances with cash prizes and other incentives, further motivating young athletes to excel.

As anticipation builds for another thrilling season, organizers have called on football enthusiasts, corporate partners, and the wider community to support the initiative. Their collective backing, they believe, will play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of football stars poised to make their mark on the global stage.