The 2026 edition of the Lydia Wilson Foundation Charity Football Tournament concluded on a high note in Lagos over the weekend, as Football Ambassadors FC of Ebute Metta emerged champions after defeating 11 Stars FC of Egbeda 3–2 on penalties in a thrilling final held on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Tournament Highlights
The yearly competition, organized by the Lydia Wilson Foundation, continues to serve as a platform for discovering and empowering young talents, particularly orphans and vulnerable children, while promoting community development, youth empowerment, and support for widows across Nigeria.
Football Ambassadors FC lifted the coveted Lydia Wilson Foundation Charity Cup and received gold medals, while runners-up 11 Stars FC were presented with silver medals. Eight outstanding players at the tournament, including three female participants, also received special awards and cash prizes in recognition of their talent, discipline, and dedication.
Foundation's Commitment
Speaking after the event, the co-founder of the Foundation, Wilson Balogun, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to restoring hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable communities through sports, education, empowerment, and humanitarian support initiatives. According to him, the football competition was established to identify and nurture talented young people who deserve opportunities to excel, irrespective of their background or life circumstances.
“The Lydia Wilson Foundation aims to catch these children young and restore hope in them. We are not just focusing on orphans alone; we are equally passionate about empowering widows, widowers, and supporting vulnerable families across Nigeria,” he said.
Balogun noted that the Foundation has consistently used sports as a vehicle for social transformation, mentorship, and youth development since its establishment in 2018 by himself and his wife, Mrs. Lydia Balogun-Wilson. He explained that the Foundation currently supports vulnerable children through educational scholarships, vocational programs, and sports development initiatives across several Nigerian states, including Kogi, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos, and Abuja.
“Every year, we identify exceptional talents through this competition and ensure they are also supported academically. We believe talent should never be limited by circumstance. Nigeria is blessed with extraordinary young people whose futures can be transformed when given the right opportunities,” he stated.
Empowerment Initiatives
The Foundation also revealed that over the years it has empowered more than 100 widows through agricultural support schemes, vocational training, and small-business start-up assistance. He disclosed that widows have benefited from empowerment programs involving baking, farming, and other income-generating skills, while vulnerable families and displaced communities have also benefited from the Foundation’s humanitarian outreach programs.
Balogun affirmed that Nigeria remains a nation of enormous human potential, creativity, and talent, and called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to help scale the Foundation’s impact across the country.
“If we are currently supporting farmers with 100 bags of fertilizer, we want to increase that significantly. If we are training 100 widows today, we want that number to grow into thousands. Nigeria has incredible potential, and together we can create opportunities that positively transform lives and communities,” he added.
Call for Support
The Foundation therefore appealed to the Federal Government, state governments, corporate organizations, development agencies, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians to support its humanitarian initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, sponsorships, grants, donations, and volunteer participation.
According to Balogun, support is not limited to financial donations alone. “We are looking for partners who genuinely want to be agents of change. We need volunteers, educational partners, community leaders, and corporate organizations willing to invest in the future of our children and families,” he said.
The Foundation further encouraged Corporate Nigeria to adopt long-term partnership models capable of sustaining yearly intervention programs, youth empowerment initiatives, and community development projects. “We invite companies and institutions to become strategic partners and headline sponsors of our charity initiatives. Together, we can continue to uplift children, empower widows, and strengthen communities across Nigeria,” he said.
Impact and Recognition
Balogun, whose family is based in the United Kingdom, stated that the yearly football tournament currently impacts more than 200 vulnerable children yearly and is gradually becoming one of the country’s most impactful grassroots humanitarian sports initiatives.
The Foundation also acknowledged the support of Westdyke Community FC of Scotland, which donated the jerseys used during the competition as part of its international community partnership support. It urged governments, corporate bodies, and individuals interested in partnership, sponsorship, volunteering, and donation enquiries to visit its website for more information.
