Herizon Sports Initiative (HSI) has announced the third edition of its flagship tournament, the Herizon Cup 2026, scheduled for 6th and 7th November 2026, at the Bariga Stadium CMS, Lagos.
Positioned within HSI’s broader commitment to developing female football in Nigeria, creating access and pathways for girls, and strengthening grassroots football development, the Herizon Cup serves as far more than an annual tournament. Designed to identify, develop, and showcase young female football talent, the event combines competitive sports with structured mentorship and youth empowerment. This year’s tournament brings together 8 female football academies and over 200 players, drawing an expected 1,000 to 1,500 spectators, sports administrators, corporate leaders, and scouts across two action-packed days.
As an NGO dedicated to female football development, HSI has established a recognised platform dedicated to expanding career opportunities, skills development, and visibility for young women in sports.
Since launching in 2024, HSI successfully doubled participation in its flagship Herizon Cup from 4 teams in 2024 to 8 teams in 2025, directly engaging over 260 young female footballers and reaching more than 600 key stakeholders, including parents, coaches, sports professionals, and community leaders. HSI’s track record of impactful initiatives includes organizing the inaugural Ibidoyin Aina Cup in May 2024 and its second edition in December 2025, as well as delivering a targeted leadership and mentorship program for 100 girls across 20 football academies in March 2026 in collaboration with the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA).
Demonstrating its ongoing contribution to female football development, HSI also pioneered the Lagos Queens Cup in July 2026, Nigeria’s premier international women’s football scouting tournament hosted in partnership with LSFA, AFEC, Nakamura, 36 Lion Investment, and the Ayisat Yusuf Foundation, which brought in international scouts from Finland and Sweden to open global pathways for emerging Nigerian talent.
“The Herizon Cup is more than just a football tournament; it is a structured platform within our broader commitment to developing female football in Nigeria and creating long-term pathways for young girls,” said Ibidiyoin Aina, Founder of Herizon Sports Initiative. “Driven by our mission of Access, Development, and Visibility, and guided by our vision to Empower, Lead, Inspire, and Transform, our focus for this third edition is on deepening our impact, strengthening grassroots structures, and expanding opportunities for girls both on and off the pitch.”
With BAMA as the official sponsor of Herizon Cup 2026 and operational planning with participating academies finalized, HSI invites additional corporate organizations, CSR teams, sports brands, and media partners to join in expanding opportunities for the next generation of female athletes.