
By Sports Editor
All roads lead to the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) football pitch as the 2025 edition of the Ultimate Premier Football League Kicks off today (Friday January 31)
The tournament which ranks top among the locally organized football tournaments in Ekiti State promises to maintain and even surpass the previous impressive strides in term of organization, packaging, logistics and officiating.
Quite a number of innovations have been brought into this year’s edition including a partnership with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Ekiti State.
The Sports Writers Association as Media partners will strive to give massive publicity to the tournament from start to finish as the organizers of the Ultimate Premier Football League have also promised to do the needful in order to put smile on the faces of the SWAN members .
While promising the best professional coverage, SWAN is delighted to partner the competition in view of its positive impact on the teeming youths and the football ecosystem in general in Ekiti State.
Chairman , Ekiti State SWAN, Qozeem Oladapo in a statement issued on Friday in Ado described the partnership as a good omen and a signal for more synergy with relevant groups and individuals towards more virile relationships that would boost Sports development in Ekiti State.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ultimate Group International being the brain behind the tournament, Mr Tosin Onibudo said the organizers value the efforts and services of the Sports Writers, hence the partnership.
Onibudo who equally expressed excitement over the partnership with SWAN acknowledged the strength of the media noting that no tournament could be popular nor accepted without media.
He promised to sustain the relationship with SWAN and other partners while expressing hope that all parties involved will fulfil all agreements reached prior to the deals.
As it was in 2024 when the champions, Gateway FA smiled home with the sum of #1 million (One Million Naira) prize money , the year 2025 champions will also be One million Naira richer at the end of the tournament.
The Ultimate Premier Football League matches which will be streamed live on dedicated social media platforms will kickoff by 3pm today (Friday) at the ABUAD football pitch with the match fearing defending champions, Gateway Football Academy from Ikere and debutants, ABUAD Staff Team.
The first week will feature six thrilling matches, with some of the biggest teams in the competition going head-to-head.
Below are the fixtures for week one:
- Friday, January 31st: ABUAD FC vs Gateway FA (3 pm, ABUAD Football Pitch)
- Saturday, February 1st: EKSU Gal. vs Crown ROYAL (3 pm, EKSU FOOTBALL PITCH)
- Saturday, February 1st: Royal FA vs Agbana FA (10 am, Amor Hotel pitch)
- Sunday, February 2nd: Unity FC vs Choice FC (2 pm, Unity football pitch)
- Sunday, February 2nd: NIS FC vs BELLATORES SC (4 pm, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti)
- Monday, February 3rd: Wondersxchange vs CRANKSHAFT FC (4 pm, Olukismet stadium)
Interestingly, this year’s tournament will be two in one as it also has a unique feature with the inclusion of the under 15 championship which hopes to engage and discover budding talents across the State.
Registration for the under 15 which has been concluded was free for all participating teams while the best teams are also to be rewarded handsomely.