Sports
Enroll Children In Academies, Ugbade Urges Parents
An Assistant Coach of the
Golden Eaglets Nduka Ugbade, has urged parents to enrol their children who have interest and potential of becoming great footballers, in football academies.
Ugbade told newsmen in Lagos Thursday that it was necessary they got started in an academy at an early stage to achieve their dreams.
“Parents should encourage their children when they see the zeal in them to be footballers, and the only help they (parents) can render, is to register them the (children) in an academy and support them all the way.
“Being a successful footballer does not happen in a day, but rather, a gradual process that is set on determination and self esteem.
“A football academy is a school that teaches what it entails to be a footballer,’’ Ugbade said.
He said that it was from such academies that players would be picked to play in the Globacom Premier League and eventually to the various national teams.
“Once you are good and you know what you are doing, your skills would definitely open doors for you. Do not derail and the sky would be your starting point.
“Football in the country has changed now; we see players from academies and the league, playing in the national teams and doing very well.
“They even get noticed internationally and we see clubs jostling to have some of them,” he said
Ugbade, who was the captain of Golden Eaglets that won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985, said that there were still several outstanding talents yet to be discovered.
“I am begging coaches at the grassroots to help in discovering those wonderful players at the grassroots, and also engage them in competitions, so as to get better.
“They need to be engaged to compete among their peers in other academies, so as to have an idea of what it takes to be players; they should not be limited to just their team mates.
“Friendly matches among academies would go a long way in helping them grow and get better,” he advised.
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.