RSFL Super 4 Champions To Receive N11m As New Dawn Face Future Guaranteed In Final

RSFL Super 4 Champions To Receive N11m As New Dawn Face Future Guaranteed In Final

By Niyi Busari

Champions of the 2024 Rising Stars Football League (RSFL) will get Eleven Million naira (N11m) as prize money when winner is determined between Future Guaranteed and New Dawn FC, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The final is scheduled to hold on Friday at the Mainbowl of Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja at 3:00pm kick off time.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the RSFL Project Coordinator, Ifeanyi Kama, said the league which commenced since September 2023 is aimed at uplifting the players, the clubs and communities through football.

"The major thing we want to do is to develop a platform to showcase these players. We’ve been working tirelessly since September last year," Kama said. 

The RSFL began with qualifiers in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), venturing into deep villages in places like Abaji and Kwali. After extensive qualifiers, 12 teams qualified for the league proper.

"These 12 teams competed fiercely, and Future Guaranteed from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) emerged as the winners, securing their prize.”

“Now, we are moving into the Super 4, which is the main event, where the winning team will go home with 11 million naira—5 million naira for the community and 6 million naira for the team," Kama explained.

The league organizers have made sure to support all participating teams throughout the tournament. Kama emphasized that incentives were provided to every team during the qualifiers to encourage participation. "A lot of teams didn’t believe what we did, but our very good plan worked out, despite all the challenges. We are trying to bring more people on board and ensure our foundation is strong," he added.

What makes the RSFL unique is its community-driven philosophy. According to Kama, the league is about giving back to the people and supporting grassroots football development without asking for financial contributions from anyone. 

"This is about the community, and we haven’t asked anybody for a dime because it’s about giving to the people," he said.

Looking to the future, the RSFL plans to expand beyond the FCT. "We will go to Lagos, and we hope that the support from the people of the FCT will keep us here," Kama concluded.

Also speaking at the event, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Olympics gold medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro hailed the organisers and emphasized on holistic development where players will improve not only their football skills but also how to conduct themselves in the society.

"Seeing an organisation that is doing great thing made me to come out to contribute to the development of young players and their clubs enticed me to support the initiative. 

The Eleven Million naira prize money for the winners is quite encouraging, this is the first time I heard such amount giving to a winner of grassroots competition. However, I will advise that the development should be holistic. Aside using the platform to develop their skills, the players should be taught on how to behave themselves in the society, may be a seminar should be held explaining to them how to handle success, how to relate with people, the media and respect elders." He concluded.