The Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) is set to mark the 40th anniversary of its flagship tournament the Ramat Cup International with the 2025 edition scheduled to hold in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Speaking on the significance of the milestone, the National Secretary of YSFON, Mr. Patrick Okpavuerhe, said the tournament stands as a testament to the Federation’s long-standing commitment to grassroots football and youth empowerment across Nigeria.

According to him, the Ramat Cup, held in memory of the late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, has remained a structured platform for early talent discovery, sportsmanship, and national integration since its inception.

“This year’s edition is special, not just because it’s the 40th, but because it reflects YSFON’s resilience and consistency in youth sports development. We’ve kept this tournament alive for four decades, and the results are evident in the number of professional footballers who started their journey from here,” Okpavuerhe said.

The 2025 edition will take place at the Lafia City Stadium from Friday, August 8th to Saturday, August 16th. All states of the federation are expected to participate, with team arrivals slated for August 8 and player screening scheduled for 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9.

Each state is to field a squad of twenty players (all aged 16 or under), alongside three officials.

Okpavuerhe commended Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, for his role in hosting the event, noting that the state has provided all necessary support and an enabling environment for a successful outing.

He described the Ramat Cup as more than a tournament — but “a national tradition” that has played a major role in keeping youths engaged, united, and hopeful through sport.

“YSFON’s mission has always been to inspire, train, and uplift Nigerian youths through organized sports. The Ramat Cup is a model of that vision in action,” he added.

The last edition of the tournament was held in 2022 in Kano State, where N-Youth Sports of Abuja clinched the title.