Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has announced plans to organise a youth football tournament in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Martins made the disclosure during an interview on TVC on Thursday, revealing that the tournament, which he described as the “Renewed Hope Tournament,” is scheduled to take place in November.
According to the former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward, the competition will feature teams representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alongside two or three additional teams.
“There’s a tournament that I’m doing for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I’m doing for his campaign, the renewal youth tournament, and I’m doing it with, I think, the geopolitical zone, which is six, and I’m adding more two to three teams with it,” Martins said.
The former Nigeria international said the initiative was designed to support Tinubu while also providing opportunities for young Nigerians through football.
“I think I’m just happy to do it for the president with all his hard work and all that. And that is not just for the president, it’s for the Nigerians and the Nigerian youth as well; how we can help them,” he said.
Martins also disclosed that he would personally finance the tournament.
When asked whether the event would be self-funded, the former striker confirmed, “Yes, I’m doing it in November.”
The announcement comes about two weeks after Martins publicly expressed support for Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, regarding a possible future leadership role in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Speaking on the Mikel Obi podcast, Martins described Seyi as a young man who understands the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
The proposed youth tournament adds a new dimension to Martins’ recent public support for the Tinubu administration, combining political advocacy with a football-focused youth development initiative.
Credit: Vanguard
