Sports
Nigeria Lacks Policy On Youth Football Dev – NFF ‘s VP
The Vice-President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi, yesterday in Lagos said that lack of policy had stunted youth football development.
Akinwunmi told newsmen that Nigeria often missed out of the age grade football tournaments because of lack of deliberate plan.
“Nigeria has failed in some age grade football tournaments in the past because of our hit and miss policy over the years. Some have argued against it but that is the truth.
“There has been no consensus plan or policy for youth football in Nigeria. If we don’t plan for something and we miss, we don’t need to cry because it is not our right.
“We did not plan for age grade football enough, so sometimes we lose and sometimes we win because we did not agree on what to do and how to prosecute it.
“We need to have a deliberate plan of action in our development process for age-grade football to achieve lasting success,’’ he said.
Akinwunmi said that the football house was already working toward correcting the past wrongs by having a working plan for football developmental in the country.
“What we want to do now is to design where we can grow our kids in succession; get their data, follow up on them and use them to form a development policy.
“Now that the country is blessed with many developmental youth tournaments like the Channels Kids Cup and Principals Cup among others, we will leverage on them.
“We have also been following-up on the states to toe the line of Lagos State and they have been responding. Kano, Enugu and others are doing well.
“As time gets by, we will get it right as far as age grade football in Nigeria is concerned and people will appreciate our development efforts,’’ 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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