Benin: over 200 children involved in the second edition of the TRIOMPHE U13 tournament

At the initiative of Angèle Adanlé, the TRIOMPHE tournament is back for a second edition in Benin. More than 200 young footballers participated in the launch of the competition on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with the ambition of making sports a setting for competition, personal growth, and raising awareness about the importance of education.

This year, the initiative focuses on the under-13 category. The various teams involved will compete over several weeks leading up to the grand final scheduled for September 6, 2026.

Beyond the sporting results, the organizers aim to provide children with a space to develop their technical skills, compete with other youth of their generation, and reinforce values such as discipline, fair play, and team spirit.

Football Associated with an Educational Dimension

The TRIOMPHE tournament is also distinguished by its social aspect. From its first edition in 2025, the event combined sporting competition with actions for children. The event notably led to the distribution of hundreds of school kits, with the explicit goal of linking sports practice and educational success.

The first edition also allowed young players from various teams to gather in Cocotomey during the school holidays. The organization had presented the tournament as a space dedicated to youth football, as well as to well-being and education.

With more than 200 participants announced for 2026, the organizers are scaling up. Throughout the competition, the matches will allow young players to benefit from regular playtime and coaches to observe their progress.

The tournament is part of a broader effort to develop grassroots football in Benin. Several competitions reserved for youth categories are organized in the country to offer more opportunities for practice and scouting to children. In May 2026, for example, the “Champion’s Plateau Foot U13” brought together ten training centers and over a hundred young players in Cotonou.

The second edition of the TRIOMPHE tournament is set to conclude on September 6, following more than a month of competition.