Abuja: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the month-long tournament, which 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.
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. 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.
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 has partnered with the organisers to improve future editions of the tournament,” he said.
Amb. Olufemi Ajilore, former Super Eagles player and Nigeria’s 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 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 N70,000, a trophy, medals, and certificates of participation. While Zone 5 Warriors FC, the runners-up, received N50,000, medals, and certificates of participation. Future Hopes Academy, which finished third, received N40,000, medals, and certificates of participation, while Golden Boys Football Club, who finished fourth, received N25,000, medals, and certificates of participation.