On April 24, 2026, the streets of Awoyaya and the grounds of Ibeju-Lekki Local Council became a stage for something remarkable. Children lined up, took their turns, and showcased their abilities. By the end of the day, four of them had secured a life-changing opportunity: a sponsored place at the 2026 Greensprings Football Camp.
The Keep It Up Challenge
The Keep It Up Challenge, a community talent discovery event organized by the Greensprings Football Camp team, brought football scouts and elite coaching expertise directly to two of Lagos' underserved communities. The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between raw grassroots talent and structured professional development by holding trials in neighborhoods where opportunities are often scarce.
Coaches from West Bromwich Albion and FIFA-licensed agent Sylvester Okonkwo were present throughout the day to evaluate participants and ensure high assessment standards. Each child underwent drills testing ball control, passing accuracy, shooting, tactical awareness, and game intelligence. Scouts observed not only technical skill but also attitude, coachability, and determination under pressure.
The Four Winners
At the end of the assessments, four names stood out: Olayinka Elijah of Awoyaya Primary School, Aliyah Issa of Awoyaya Primary School, Korede Oladele from Ibeju-Lekki Local Council, and Onipede James, also from Ibeju-Lekki. Each demonstrated raw ability, determination, and spirit that the Greensprings Football Camp was designed to nurture.
According to event officials, the selection was highly competitive, with dozens of children from both communities participating. These four young players will now join hundreds of others at the Greensprings School, Lekki-Awoyaya campus, for five intensive days of world-class football training. The camp runs daily from morning sessions to evening debriefs, with a curriculum mirroring professional academy standards.
Training with Legends
The five-day program will expose them to training sessions with Victor Ikpeba, a 1994 African Cup of Nations winner who played for Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Betis. Ikpeba, a regular facilitator at the camp, is expected to lead sessions on finishing, movement off the ball, and elite-level mentality. Additionally, the winners will train under coaches from West Bromwich Albion and Lagos State Football Association-certified coaches.
Beyond football, the camp serves as a pathway to education, as winners stand a chance of earning a full academic scholarship to Greensprings School. Organizers thanked sponsors of the program, who chose to remain private, stating that their contribution covered the full cost of camp participation for the four winners, including kits, feeding, and training.
