Dolly Champions Celebrates 17 Years with Maiden Youth Football Tournament
The Dolly Champions Football Academy, the sporting arm of the Dolly Children Foundation (DCF), hosted its inaugural youth football tournament in Magboro to mark the Foundation’s 17th anniversary. The event, which ran from Friday, April 10th, 2026, to April 18th, gathered young football talents for a lively and memorable competition that showcased community spirit and sporting excellence.
Teams that participated included Eagle School, NESGEL School, Dolly Champions, VI Foot, and Gasline, competing across both senior and junior categories. The week was filled with energy, teamwork, and fierce competition as players displayed their skills and determination on the field.
In the senior division, Dolly Champions delivered an impressive performance. They defeated VI Foot 2–0, advancing confidently to face NESGEL School in the final. The match was intense, but Dolly Champions remained composed and secured a 1-0 victory to claim the senior category title.
VI Foot emerged victorious in the Junior Category, defeating Dolly Champions in the final. Throughout the competition, the junior division showcased thrilling matches. VI Foot demonstrated outstanding form, recording a dominant 4–0 win over Dolly Champions and a 3–0 victory against Eagle School. NESGEL School also impressed with a 2–1 win over Eagle School. In a close match, Dolly Champions narrowly edged Gasline 1–0, demonstrating resilience amid strong competition.
The event was attended by prominent community leaders and special guests, including Mrs. Adedolapo Osuntuyi, Founder and CEO 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 underscored strong community support for youth development through sports.
After the matches, Coach Adewale of Dolly Champions shared his thoughts, expressing gratitude for the successful tournament. He noted it was a significant milestone for the academy to reach the finals in both categories and to win the senior title. He also expressed excitement about upcoming opportunities, as more invitations are already coming in for the team.
Team captain Ayo Bamgboye praised the victory, describing it as a proud moment for the team. He appreciated the efforts of the coach, the Foundation, and everyone involved, emphasizing that the team’s confidence and hard work paid off.
Mrs. Adedolapo Osuntuyi highlighted that the tournament extends beyond football, serving as a platform for young people to grow, build confidence, and realize their potential. She reflected on the Foundation’s 17-year journey as a testament to its enduring commitment to supporting children and strengthening communities. She emphasized that many participants come from challenging backgrounds, and the tournament provides a safe, unifying environment where they can learn values such as discipline and teamwork while gaining encouragement. She described the experience as both developmental and therapeutic for the children involved.
Overall, the tournament was a resounding success, celebrating an important milestone for the Dolly Children Foundation while providing a positive space for young talents to shine. With the enthusiasm and participation seen this year, the future of the tournament looks very promising.