By Roland Ekama
Micura Service Limited (MSL), a frontline stevedoring contractor in Nigeria, has announced an increase in prize money for the 2027 fourth edition of the Ajegunle grassroots football competition tagged ” Micura Street Soccer Championship ” as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
The 2026 finals saw Hausa Line emerge as champions, with Checkers finishing as runners-up in June 2026.
Speaking with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA over the weekend, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer High Chief Michael Orobosa Ubogu said the competition has continued to gain momentum and that the prize boost aims to encourage the community’s youth.
Ubogu noted that the tournament has produced raw talents and helped address social vices and youth unrest in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State.
He urged football clubs and street soccer enthusiasts in the community to register and participate, adding that the 2027 edition will be especially attractive because of the increased prize money.
According to Ubogu, the recently concluded third edition was an eye-opener that encouraged more streets to join the tournament.
He said partnerships with private companies are key to developing grassroots football, pointing out that the game creates employment opportunities and helps deter social vices among the youth.
“Certainly, when something is growing from strength to strength it cannot be stagnant. For next year we are looking at N3 million for the winner, N2.5 million for the runner-up, N2 million for third place, and N500,000 for the fourth-place team as a consolation so they too will benefit,” Ubogu stressed.
The football enthusiast said the next edition will be a win-win for competing teams, and he urged all participants to embrace fair play.
Primarily, Ubogu added that the total prize money for 2026 was historically N7 million, noting that the winner of that 3rd edition took home N2.5 million while the runner-up received N2 million. This figure excludes logistics such as referee fees and local organizing committee expenses.
The Micura managing director also invited partnerships for awareness campaigns and talent scouting.
He described the year’s edition as highly competitive and well coordinated, and urged organisers to improve crowd-control measures going forward.
Plans for next year , Ubogu said publicity will be prioritized and the tournament will hold in the forth quarter of 2027.
