The city of Port Harcourt is set to host young football talents from across the South-South as the maiden edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Under-15 Boys Football Championship begins on 13 December 2025.
The weeklong tournament, which will run until 20 December, brings together Under-15 boys’ teams drawn from neighbouring communities and military barracks across the region, including teams from Imo and Abia States.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the initiative is inspired by the CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede’s vision to use sports as a tool for youth development, capacity building and strengthening social cohesion.
He explained that the championship forms part of a broader Defence Headquarters’ programme aimed at empowering young people with positive alternatives to crime and other social vices.
“This tournament is designed not only to foster sporting excellence but also to nurture a vibrant, healthy and socially responsible youth population,” Major General Uba stated.
Throughout the championship, participants will engage in mentorship sessions and sensitization programmes focused on discipline, teamwork, patriotism and responsible citizenship.
Major General Uba say the event will also serve as a talent-discovery platform, helping to identify promising footballers who may later be developed for higher competitive levels.
Beyond the competition, the initiative seeks to strengthen the bond between military formations and surrounding communities, while promoting national unity through constructive youth engagement.
As the young footballers take to the field in Port Harcourt, expectations are high that the championship will not only showcase raw talent but also shape future leaders through the values embedded in sportsmanship
