Mr. Olushola Ogunnowo, the COO of Africa’s biggest grassroots competition, has shed light on the decision to adopt some local stadiums for the 2025 NLO U19 Youth League, www.aclsports.com reports.
“Grassroots teams are at the heart of football. Without them, many people’s passion for the sport wouldn’t exist,” Ogunnowo told the NLO media channel.
“These clubs also play a vital role in contributing to the local community and fostering connections among people from different backgrounds. By interacting with individuals from various walks of life, members become more open-minded and develop a greater appreciation for others.”
Ogunnowo further emphasized, “Since the rebranding of the NLO a decade ago, we have worked to connect cities and local communities, fostering positive relationships with stakeholders, players, and fans alike.”
Traditionally, NLO matches have been held in city-centre stadiums. However, to promote community-level football development and encourage inclusivity, the Secretariat has invited Local Government Areas (LGAs) and communities with standard football stadiums to host NLO matches.
“We encourage all State Football Associations to identify and suggest suitable stadiums within their areas that meet NLO standards. The NLO Secretariat will work with your association to conduct timely and efficient inspections of these venues. A detailed report will be compiled after each inspection to ensure transparency and compliance with league standards.
“We believe this initiative will significantly strengthen grassroots football development and allow communities to actively engage with and benefit from the growth of the sport,” Ogunnowo concluded.
The 2025 NLO U19 Youth League will begin on the 8th of August and will run until the end of the month. Among the rapidly developing localities that will host matches are Ileogbo in Osun State, Apele in Sagamu, Ogun State, Kazaure in Jigawa State, Numan in Adamawa State, and Kontagora in Niger State, etc.
