The sixth edition of the Abuja All Stars Veterans Invitational Tournament will kick off on August 8 with 21 clubs competing for honours in a competition aimed at promoting friendship, networking and healthy living among veteran footballers.
The Local Organising Committee unveiled the fixtures and groupings during the official draw ceremony held on Friday in Abuja, where organisers also announced a new competition format designed to guarantee participating teams more matches.
According to the LOC, the 21 teams have been drawn into four groups, with three groups comprising five teams each and one group containing six teams.
Under the revised format, every club will play at least four matches in the group stage before the knockout phase begins.
Organisers said the new structure is intended to emphasise participation rather than early elimination, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the Round of 16.
To ensure a balanced draw, four teams were seeded based on their performances in previous editions of the tournament.
Three-time champions All Stars International were seeded alongside former champions Ex Professionals and New Karu All Stars, while Nyanya All Stars earned a seeded spot after reaching two finals and making two semi-final appearances.
Former Nigerian internationals Samson Siasia and Patrick Bassey conducted the draw.
At the end of the exercise, Group A consists of Nyanya All Stars, Aleta All Stars, City Gate Club, Timeless Titans and Likeminds All Stars.
Group B comprises All Stars International, NSCDC All Stars, Apo Fitness and Karu All Stars.
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Group C features Ex Professionals, Ibn Abbas, Kuje All Stars, MC Steve, Lugbe All Stars and Zed Michael.
Group D includes New Karu All Stars, Nurudeen Veterans, Gwagwalada All Stars, Metro City, NNPC All Stars and Brotherhood All Stars.
Representing the LOC Chairman, Umar Abubakar Aliyu, Vice Chairman, Captain Unity Oseghe said this year’s tournament would be more than just football, promising an entertaining opening ceremony that will bring together players, supporters and football enthusiasts for networking and social interaction.
He urged all participating clubs to arrive early with their fans, describing the opening ceremony as a colourful event inspired by major international football tournaments.
According to the organisers, the opening match of the competition will feature All Stars International against Nurudeen Veterans.
Vice President of All Stars International, Aitai Effiong, who represented tournament President, Nasir Jibril, said the competition was established six years ago to unite veteran footballers and strengthen friendships beyond the game.
According to him, the tournament offers former players and football lovers aged 40 and above an avenue to maintain fitness, reconnect with old friends, expand business networks and enjoy the game without the intense pressure associated with competitive football.
He noted that the tournament has continued to grow in popularity, attracting increasing interest from clubs across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, with organisers previously forced to turn away prospective participants because of limited slots.
Speaking after the draw, LOC Chairman, Umar Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed that all matches would be played on Saturdays at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with the tournament expected to run from August through September.
Aliyu said the champions will receive ₦2.5 million, while the runners-up will earn ₦1.5 million and the third-placed team will pocket ₦1 million, bringing the total prize pool to ₦5 million.
He added that the organisers have introduced a digital application that will provide real-time updates on fixtures, results and standings throughout the tournament to improve the overall experience for participating clubs and supporters.
