In preparation for the SADA Football Cup 2025 (Sensitization Against Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS – 5-Aside Tournament), scheduled to hold in October 2025, the Planning Committee, which I am honoured to chair, paid a courtesy visit to the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Toure, at the UN House in Abuja.
The SADA Football Cup is a flagship initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and the Youth Empowerment and Social Advancement (YESA) Foundation, in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and UNODC Nigeria. The tournament is designed to use the universal language of football to engage young people and raise awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, while also sensitizing communities on HIV/AIDS prevention.
During our visit, Mr. Toure expressed UNODC’s strong commitment to the full implementation of the SADA Cup and provided invaluable guidance on ways to maximize the event’s impact. He also highlighted ongoing UNODC programmes that leverage sports as a tool for crime prevention and youth-centred drug abuse prevention, presenting opportunities for collaboration and synergy.
We were truly inspired by his passion for youth empowerment and social impact. With UNODC’s support and the dedication of our partners, we are confident that SADA Football Cup 2025 will not only promote healthy lifestyles among young people but also drive awareness, action, and positive change across communities.
As October 2025 draws near, we look forward to delivering a powerful event that combines the energy of sports with the urgency of social advocacy, ensuring that young Nigerians are better informed, engaged, and empowered to make the right choices.
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