Churches now involved in football

 The eleven edition of the Mike Okonkwo Football Championship, organized in collaboration with Mike Okonkwo Educational and Youth Initiative (MOEYI), will be played between Pentecoastal Football Club and Gideons Army Football Club at the Ikeja Military Cantonment, football pitch, Lagos on Saturday July 21.

 MOEYI is the non-governmental organisation of the presiding bishop of TREM Dr Mike Okonkwo, and it is dedicated to the promotion of educational, recreational and growth objectives of young peoples of Nigeria.The man who has been nominated as the chairman of the July 21 event, Mr. Olumide Akinnwumi-Oke, in stating the objectives of the tournament said among other things that it is meant as an avenue to engage Nigerian youths and help them imbibe the principles of hard work.The Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Yombo Akinbo, on his own noted that key of the competition is discipline.

 “This year, we are rewarding the players richly and runners-up will be winning N200, 000 with the third place winner getting N150, 000. The champions go home with N250, 000.

 There is also a prize for the fourth placed team. 24 teams are registered to take part in the competition. The final will be played September 3.

 Some of the teams taking part in the competition are Graceland FC, Winners Centre FC, Dove FC, Triumph, Power Bombers, Kings FC, Divine Grace FC, Pablo FC, Kingdom Heads of Ajegunle and Stallion FC.

Another church also involved in organising football competition and also have a team is Church4Real,they are a branch of Church of God Mission International Incorporated located H/Q in Benin City Edo State Nigeria. To continue the work of spreading the Gospel of Christ as we reach, teach, retain and grow believers, using contemporary Methods and models according to the Pastor Richard Karukaka

He told our reported that the church is using football to spread the gospel of Christ and to reach of to footballer who are lacking in one way or the way,they  are using the means to show them love by helping them with their careers and also lead them to Christ.

Pastor Richard added that this is the third year they are organizing this kind of game for Anthony Community and they  use the local Church as a platform to initiate positive societal changes that will improve the Nigerian Nation.Their vision ,is to be a community based Church; influencing social change and economic prosperity, by transforming the individual, teaching him to use God’s word to positively affect his sphere of influence.New Castle Hotel, Banquet Hall 1 (Basement Hall),Anthony Bus Stop, along Gbagda Express Way,Anthony Village,Lagos.

The Leicestershire Church Football League, established in 1986,is a men's football competition for church-based teams in Leicestershire, England. It is one of the six Saturday leagues affiliated to the Leicestershire & Rutland County Football Association. Elim Pentecostal Leicester FC have been the most successful club, with 10 league titles and six league cups. Under league rules, the teams must field at least seven players who regularly attend church. The league now has only one division, containing nine teams, but during the seasons from 1990–91 to 2008–09, there were two divisions. 

The City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,(RCCG) Lagos, Nigeria. Started from C.O.D United was formed in September, 2007 and started from. The club started life in the Amateur Division III in 2007/2008 and immediately gained promotion to play in Amateur Division II in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, CUFC played in Amateur Division I and are currently playing in the Nigerian National Division 1, looking to gain promotion to the premiership in 2013.The club on its first major trophy in 2013 by winning the prestigious Lagos State FA Cup, defeating M.F.M FC of Lagos.

 In 2007: • C.O.D United was established. In 2008: • Played in the National Amateur III League. In 2009: • Played in the National Amateur II League. • Won the Lagos Divisional Oba Cup competition In 2010: • Played in the National Amateur II league for a second season. In 2011: • Played in the National Amateur I League. • Finalist in the Lagos Challenge (Federation) Cup • Represented Lagos State in the 2010/2011 National Federation Cup In 2012: • Played in the Nigerian National League Division 1 • U-16s participated 2012 IBER Cup in Lisbon Portugal • U-16s won the National U-17 Football Tournament • U-16s won silver at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament • U-12s won bronze at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament In 2013: Became the youngest team to win the Lagos State FA Cup. In 2013: • Currently playing in the Nigerian National League Division 1

In 2009 T. B. Joshua started a football club, My People FC, as part of efforts to help the youth. Two members of the team played for Nigeria's Golden Eaglets in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Sani Emmanuel, who apparently lived in The SCOAN for several years, was Nigeria's top-scorer and the tournament's MVP. Emmanuel and his colleague Ogenyi Onazi have now signed professional contracts with SS Lazio, Onazi a key player for the Nigerian Senior Team, the Super Eagles. Following the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, T. B. Joshua rewarded the efforts of the Nigerian Team, presenting the physically challenged medalists with cash gifts and cars.