Prostar, Evomec Global Partner Victor Ikpeba 5-A-Side Football Challenge

The Victor Ikpeba 5-A-Side Football Challenge is expanding as more members of the society identify with the community empowerment programme for the youth.

Prostar, the indigenous manufacturer of sports equipment, has announced its decision to team up with the football event that began six years ago in Surulere, Lagos, and expanded to Warri, Delta State, the same year.

The Prostar (Zenith Sports) Chief Executive Officer, Chief Paul Maduakor, said in Lagos that he was impressed with the programme and the vision behind it.

The Prostar boss said, “We have been watching from the sidelines, but we have decided to also step into the pitch because we love what the event has been able to achieve amongst the youth.

“One good way open to us is to partner with the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge.”

Evomec Global Services Limited, led by High Chief Peter Esievo already identified with the Ikpeba Football Challenge by partnering with the Warri event last December. This year, the 1997 African Footballer of the Year may be a bigger part of the community football handled by Evomec in Delta State as a partner.

Bet9ja Foundation is the major sponsor for the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge.

For the 2026 event, the prize money has been raised to N1 million (one million naira) for the Lagos edition.

The winners will take home N500,000, as against the N300,000 earned last year. The second-placed team will get N250,000, while it is N150,000 and N100k for the third and fourth best teams, respectively.

The organizer of the competition, backed by Bet9ja and Victor Ikpeba, says the amount was increased to encourage more players.

“It’s our own contribution to keep the youth busy and off the street with something tangible. We have added to the prize money to get them more excited. I expect this increment will add value to the entire tournament,” Ikpeba said in Lagos.

The competition will be held at the Community Centre on Fujah Street in Surulere. This will be the sixth edition of the event that ends on June 12.

There are already eight teams ready to compete in the competition. The venue and other items are already being prepared for the usual classy ending to the event.