Organisers of the newly formed Edo Elite Super League, a grassroots football league in Edo State, have announced that the league will kick off on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to chart a new career trajectory for young, unrefined talents across the state.
Unveiling the date and other key details of the league, the league representative, Aiwaguore Wilson while appearing on Rhythm 93.7 FM’s Grassroots Sports Project by Ayoola Adeleke, Saturday May 30, disclosed that the league will commence in June on the set date with 8 teams participating for the purpose of winning league games and the title.
Wilson, a football coach with 23 years’ experience, emphasised the need for a new phase of football at the grassroots level, beyond aiming to win for show.
“The league we are coming up with is not the conventional grassroots football league we have been seeing.”
“This league is established after careful consideration and consultation to rewrite the narrative of grassroots football.”
“This league is to discover new talents, train them, and market them in line with FIFA standards.”We have come to discover that many players play grassroots league for years and they grow old remaining in the grassroots, waiting for opportunities abroad but with our deep knowledge, we are fully aware that not all these boys will play in Europe, this is why we are structuring this league in a way that every participating players and coaches will benefit from it without wasting out days and resources.”
The league can be followed on the following social media pages
Wilson added that beyond playing football against each other, there are plans to give the players the needed exposure that will prepare them for opportunities.
“We are putting in place mechanisms to align with clubs in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Premier Football League, to have some of our players try out and showcase what they have. If opportunities come calling from Europe, they can go.”
“So, the league is beyond just playing against each other for weeks, it’s a restructured platform to bring out the best of our players.”
The league will feature eight teams competing in matches at the NIPOST Football Pitch every Thursday at 8 a.m. in a round-robin format.