AfriSportPro Youth League and the Nigerian Police Force are set to stage a novelty football match on November 21, 2026, as part of activities to promote the first National Convention of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
The match, which will bring together youths and members of the police force, is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and other social vices, while promoting positive youth engagement through sports.
The novelty match precedes the POCACOV National Convention scheduled for November 25, 2026, with the theme, “Strengthening Preventive Policing through Community Partnership, Youth Empowerment and Collective Action for National Security.”
Speaking on the match, the National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, said: “With the mandate of creating awareness and preventive messaging against cultism, drug abuse and other social vices through advocacy, sensitisation, mentorship and community participation, POCACOV is launching its 1st National Convention to give national attention to its mission.”
POCACOV, through the convention, seeks to give national attention to its mandate of preventing cultism, drug abuse and other social vices through advocacy, sensitisation, mentorship and community participation.
In partnership with POCACOV, AfriSportPro is leveraging its organised youth engagement platform, which connects football clubs, players, coaches, communities and fans across Nigeria, to extend the campaign’s preventive messages to young people.
Speaking on the partnership, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AfriSportPro, Chukwuebuka Ugwu, said the collaboration was particularly important because it aligned with the organisation’s vision of using sports to create opportunities, educate and positively engage Nigerian youths.
He said: “For me, this is one of our most important partnerships because it aligns with our vision for youth engagement, creating opportunities and educating the Nigerian youth especially against cultism and other forms of crime.
“When I learnt about POCACOV, I knew I wanted to be part of it. This is why we’re partnering and doing this Novelty match to help create awareness about POCACOV and its messaging and promote the upcoming National Convention.
“I believe for a society to rid itself of crime, it must first focus on educating its citizens, especially the youths. Enforcement should serve as a complement. This is why the POCACOV mandate resonates with me, and there’s no better way to get the attention of the youth than through an environment they already engage which is football.
“This Novelty match serves as a statement of purpose and an opportunity to bring the POCACOV messages closer to thousands of young players, coaches and fans within our community. It’s my honor to be collaborating with the Nigerian Police on this very noble cause.”