RSFA RAISES KEVES GLOBAL FOOTBALL COMPETITION PRIZE MONEY TO ₦7 MILLION

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State – The Rivers State Football Association, RSFA, has raised the prize money for its flagship grassroots tournament, doubling the total prize for the 2026 Rivers State FA/Keves Global Football Competition to a record ₦7 million.

The announcement was made at a media briefing held Thursday at the Rivers State Football Association office in Port Harcourt, ahead of the 4th edition of the competition.

The increased prize reflects the sustained commitment of title sponsors, Keves Global Leasing Limited. Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chief Executive Officer of Keves Global Leasing Limited who was represented at the briefing by Engr Donald Elijah, said the investment is aimed at deepening youth development and strengthening the sports ecosystem in Rivers State.

Prize Pool Grows 100% in 4 Years

RSFA confirmed that funding for the competition has grown steadily since inception. The total prize has risen from ₦3.5 million in 2022 to ₦7 million in 2026, marking a 100% increase over three editions.

According to Keves Global Leasing Limited, the enhanced financial structure aligns with its corporate social responsibility mandate. The company said the goal is to improve competitiveness, raise the commercial profile of club football, and ensure participating clubs are financially sustainable.

New Prize Breakdown

Under the revised structure, both categories of the tournament will share the ₦7 million prize:

Amateur Clubs Category

1. Winners: ₦2,000,000  

2. 1st Runner-up: ₦1,400,000  

3. 2nd Runner-up: ₦1,000,000  

All Stars Category - 40 Years & Above*  

1. Winners: ₦1,000,000  

2. 1st Runner-up: ₦600,000  

3. 2nd Runner-up: ₦400,000  

RSFA also announced that individual awards will be presented to outstanding players in different categories during the tournament.

Format and Registration

A total of 32 clubs will compete in the Amateur Clubs category, while 8 teams will feature in the All Stars category. Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, has been confirmed as the host venue.

RSFA said it has received assurance from Chief Ikenna Okafor that the Keves Global Football Competition will be staged annually, providing a consistent platform for talent discovery and development.

Registration for both categories is now open. The deadline for submission of entries is Wednesday, 16th July 2026.

For enquiries and registration details, clubs should contact the RSFA Secretary, Mr. Omiete Edwin Tamuno, on 08068238881.

Written by Charles Mayuku