The Dolly Champions Football Academy, the football arm of the Dolly Children Foundation (DCF), hosted its first football tournament in Magboro to commemorate the Foundation’s 17th anniversary. The tournament kicked off on Friday, April 10th, 2026, and ran through April 18th, bringing together young football talents for a vibrant and memorable competition.
The participating teams were Eagle School, NESGEL School, Dolly Champions, VI Foot and Gasline, with matches played across both senior and junior categories. It was a week filled with energy, teamwork, and strong competition, as the players gave their best on the field.
In the senior category, Dolly Champions stood out with an impressive performance. They defeated VI Foot 2–0, moving forward confidently, and later faced NESGEL School in the final. The match was tight, but Dolly Champions showed great composure and secured a 1- 0 victory to emerge as champions of the senior category.
VI Foot emerged as the winners of the Junior Category, defeating Dolly Champions in the final.
The junior division delivered a series of exciting matches throughout the competition. VI Foot demonstrated outstanding form, recording a dominant 4–0 victory over Dolly Champions and a 3–0 win against Eagle School. NESGEL School also impressed with a strong performance, securing a 2–1 victory over Eagle School.
In another closely contested fixture, Dolly Champions edged Gasline 1–0, showcasing resilience amid intense competition. The event was graced by community leaders and special guests, including Mrs. Adedolapo Osuntuyi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Dolly Children Foundation; Mr. Busayo Akomolafe, Makogi ACDC Chairman; Mr. Gbenga Jasper, Publisher; Mr. Emmanuel of MACDC Welfare; Mr. Dapo Jimoh, Youth Leader of the Makogi Community; Mr. Adesina Michael; and Mr. Romeo, the Foundation’s Program Coordinator. Their presence added significant value to the event and demonstrated strong support for youth development through sports.
After the matches, Coach Adewale of Dolly Champions shared his thoughts, expressing gratitude for how the tournament turned out. He mentioned that it was a big achievement for the academy to reach the finals in both categories and won the senior title. He also shared his excitement about future opportunities, as more invitations are already coming in for the team.
Team captain Ayo Bamgboye also spoke about the victory, describing it as a great moment for the team. He appreciated the efforts of the coach, the Foundation, and everyone who made the tournament possible. He added that the team believed in themselves from the start and gave everything on the field.
Speaking on the purpose of the tournament, Mrs. Adedolapo Osuntuyi emphasized that the initiative goes beyond football, serving as a platform for young people to grow, build confidence, and discover their potential. She described the Foundation’s 17th anniversary as a reflection of its enduring commitment to supporting children and strengthening communities. She added that many of the participants come from challenging backgrounds, and the tournament creates a safe, unifying space where they can connect, learn values such as discipline and teamwork, and find encouragement. According to her, the experience is not only developmental but also therapeutic for the children involved.
The tournament was a big success. It not only celebrated an important milestone for the Dolly Children Foundation but also created a positive and engaging space for young talents to shine. With the level of participation and excitement seen this year, the future of the tournament looks very promising.
