By Rita Okoye

In a city like Lagos, where dreams are often shaped by hustle and perseverance, Udoka Myra Edike has made it her life’s mission to give hope to disadvantaged youth through the power of football.

A proud daughter of Delta State, born and raised in Lagos, Udoka is more than just a business consultant and humanist; she’s the founder of the NextFootballStars Foundation—a platform designed to transform the lives of young boys from underprivileged communities across Nigeria.

With a solid background in banking and finance, Udoka holds a master’s degree in International Business Management from Middlesex University, London. Yet, her love for football is what truly shaped her career and charitable pursuits. Growing up in a household filled with football enthusiasts—five brothers and uncles who lived and breathed the sport—Udoka developed a lifelong passion for the game.

A staunch Manchester United fan, she recalls organizing impromptu football matches for disadvantaged kids in Lagos during university breaks. For her, football was more than just a game; it was a tool for social change. This passion led to the founding of the NextFootballStars Foundation, where the primary aim is to empower marginalized youth through football and education. “Football provides an outlet for these young boys, offering them a way out of poverty and a chance at a brighter future,” Myra said.

Today, her foundation houses, feeds, trains, and mentors 26 boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. The boys receive not only athletic training but also access to education, life skills, health and nutrition guidance, career advice, and entrepreneurship training.

 On October 17, 2024, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, NextFootballStars will host its annual Charity Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. This event is more than just a football tournament; it is an opportunity to bring communities together and highlight the crucial role sports play in combating poverty. Myra emphasizes the importance of community involvement, calling for volunteers and supporters to help take the youth off the streets and into more constructive environments.

“The Charity Cup is a chance to showcase local talent and raise awareness about the transformative power of football. We cannot do this alone; we need everyone to come together for the common good,” she noted.

Football has always been an integral part of  At the heart of the NextFootballStars Foundation is the belief that football can change lives, and Myra Edike’s boys are living proof. At the recent Bayern Youth Cup Lagos, three of her players ranked in the top 10 out of more than 300 participants, going on to represent Lagos in the finale in Enugu. “These boys are destined for greatness. Some of them will become household names in football. Watch this space,” Myra beams with pride.

Football at NextFootballStars goes beyond the sport, Myra’s mission extends to equipping the youth with essential life skills that will serve them off the field. By offering mentorship, character building, and financial literacy, she aims to prepare the boys for long-term success.

Her vision for NextFootballStars is rooted in the belief that giving young people opportunities keeps them away from negative influences such as crime and drug abuse. Football, in this context, becomes not just a game but a pathway to hope, dreams, and a future filled with promise.