RIVERS STATE FA/KEVES GLOBAL FOOTBALL COMPETITION: WHY AMATEUR CLUBS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE AND REGISTER

PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE – The Rivers State Football Association, RSFA, in partnership with Keves Global Leasing Limited, has opened registration for the 2026 Keves Global Football Competition. With the registration window set to close on Wednesday, 16th July 2026, football stakeholders are urging amateur clubs across the state to register and compete at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The competition is being positioned as one of the most accessible and rewarding grassroots tournaments in the state, with a total prize pool of ₦7,000,000 and structured support for participating clubs.

A Platform Built for Grassroots Exposure  

The tournament is structured in two categories to ensure broad participation. The Amateur Category will feature 32 teams exclusively for non-league players, while the All-Stars Category will feature 8 teams for players aged 40 years and above. A valid National Identification Number, NIN, will be required for the All-Stars category as proof of age.

For amateur clubs, the competition offers rare visibility at a state-level tournament, competitive match experience, and a direct pathway for players to be scouted for the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Nigeria National League, NNL, and the NationWide League.

Significant Prize Money and Welfare Support

Beyond exposure, the competition carries strong financial incentives: 

Amateur Category

1.  Winners: ₦2,000,000 

2.  1st Runner-Up: ₦1,400,000 

3.  2nd Runner-Up: ₦1,000,000 

All-Stars Category

1.  Winners: ₦1,000,000 

2.  1st Runner-Up: ₦600,000 

3.  2nd Runner-Up: ₦400,000 

Keves Global Leasing Limited, led by Chief Ikenna Okafor sponsorship is part of his wider commitment to sports development in Rivers State, which includes tennis, swimming, golf, and table tennis.

Registration Details

Registration Fee: ₦30,000 per team for both categories.  

Venue: All matches will be played at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.  

Deadline: Registration closes Wednesday, 16th July 2026. RSFA has advised clubs to register early to avoid last-minute issues.

Technical Growth Through Capacity Building

In line with its development mandate, RSFA will also hold a capacity building seminar on the Amendment to the Laws of the Game for coaches, club officials, and match officials. The seminar is designed to align stakeholders with the latest FIFA/IFAB updates and raise technical and officiating standards ahead of the tournament.

Why Clubs Should Register Now

Stakeholders say the Keves Global Football Competition goes beyond prizes. It is a development platform that combines competition, welfare, and education. 

“For amateur clubs, this is an opportunity to test your squad, build your club’s profile, and give players a chance to move up the football ladder,” a stakeholder noted. 

Enquiries

For registration and further information, clubs should contact Mr. Omiete Edwin Tamuno on 08068238881. 

Written by Mr Charles Mayuku