Sports
Female Coaches Seek Support For All Stars Competitions
The Amalgamation of Nigeria Female Football Coaches Association (ANFCCA), organisers of the annual All Stars Football Championship for girls, has assured that the 12th edition of the competition would be as exciting as ever.
ANFCCA’s President, Rolandson Odeh, told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that lack of encouragement from the authorities would not deter it from identifying with the event.
The championsship, which usually features players from different parts of the country, is scheduled to hold from January 13 to.21 at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Odeh stated that preparations for the competition would begin tomorrow and end on January 12. It would ensure that players were properly conditioned for the competition.
“We will train the girls from Jan. 5 to Jan. 12, before the competition starts from Jan 13 to 21, and they will be grouped into different teams,” he said.
Odeh bemoaned the lack of sponsorship the championship had had to endure since its inception, and urged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and potential sponsors to support the body’s programmes.
The championship was formed by the Female Football Interest Group and Amalgamation of Female Football clubs coaches in 2001 to help promote female football.
Meanwhile the Vice President of ANFCCA, Oluwole Santana has urged the NFA to be consistent in nurturing football at the grassroots; to ensure the sustenance of female football.
Santana noted that the championship ought to have been accorded a pride of place because of its indelible role in scouting for talented girls for clubs and national teams.
“I am seriously baffled that after 12 years of its establishment, the competition still lacked sponsorship.
“We have been calling on sponsors to help us with this championship because without them, we cannot cater for these girls,’’ he said
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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