Sports
Ex-Director Bemoans Eaglets Inclusion In Super Eagles
A former Director of Sports at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Amos Adamu, has said the invitation of some under-17 players into the Super Eagles may impede their development.
Adamu told newsmen in Lagos that the players should be allowed to develop gradually.
Eagles’ chief coach Stephen Keshi recently invited goalkeeper Sunday Alampasu, midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho and forward Taiwo Awoniyi to the team’s camp in Abuja.
The senior male national football team is preparing for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for South Africa from January 11 to February 1.
Keshi had called up as part of a preliminary 30-man squad the three players who were members of the 2013 Golden Eaglets team.
The Eaglets had in October won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup recently in the UAE.
“It will kill them. If you are 17 years old and you want to play against 23-year-olds, you can get discouraged.
“So, I believe they should be left to grow at their pace,’’ Adamu, a former FIFA and CAF Executive Committee member, said.
He recalled that a coach was once moved from the under-17 team to a senior team after he excelled at that level, only to fail to live up to expectations.
“We had a coach that was moved to a senior team because he won the U-17 World Cup. But he didn’t make it, even as a coach, not to talk of young players.
“If they (the players) want to jump while they should still be crawling, they will automatically fall,’’ Adamu 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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