Sports
Real Madrid Football Academy Confirms Abundance Of Talents
The Real Madrid Football Academy says it has discovered football talents in abundance in Rivers State.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, Chris Green, Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Real Madrid Football Academy, said the talents were discovered while screening candidates for admission into the academy.
He said that while 1,500 candidates were participating in the screening at the beginning, the number has been pruned by the handlers.
“We have seen abundance of talents here; of course talent is either acquired or inside of you.
“And here, we have seen those with endowed talents. They will get priority over those who may acquire talent or football skills while in the academy.
“In screening, the football exercise takes higher percentage than the academics, but above all, we want to see that the candidates to be admitted must have passed through primary school education,’’ he said.
The Special Adviser said that the Real Madrid Academy is open to all Nigerians, and that Rivers and non-Rivers indigenes had almost equal slots with the state having a slight edge over others.
Meanwhile, parents whose children and wards have been participating in the exercise have commended the Rivers State Government for the initiative.
David Apiafi, a parent from Opobo in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers, said that he was happy with the development.
“We are happy about the development because it will give opportunity to children to showcase their hidden talents.
“It will enable them to benefit from their talents and make valuable name for the state and for their locality,’’ he said.
Another parent, Jacklloyd Thomas from Abonnema in Akuku-Toru LGA, said the academy was a good thing as it would create awareness and bring out sports talents in children.
Thomas commended Governor Wike for initiating the football academy.
He, however, faulted the kick-off of the screening which began with an aptitude test on January 18 alleging that the handlers did not follow the procedure laid down by the Ministry of Education for the aptitude test.
“Some of the boys who wrote the aptitude test are between the ages of 15 and 17 years, whereas the laid down rule was to give priority to boys of between the ages of nine years and 12 years.
“How do you get the best when the older ones compete with the required boys that are between nine and 12 years?
“You will definitely find it difficult to pick the best from them because the older ones will kick the ball better but they are above the age limit,’’ he charged.
Miss LovethMgba, a parent and politician said the initiative to catch the children young would secure their future and make them better people.
She stated that the screening was transparent and urged the organisers to ensure that no one was short-changed.
MrsOgechiAzunda, a parent said that aside the hitches recorded on day of the aptitude test, the screening had been smooth.
Azunda applauded the Rivers State government for partnering to establish the Real Madrid Football Academy as it would help the young to showcase their talents and possibly build a rewarding future.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
-
Editorial11 hours agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News11 hours agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News7 hours agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
Rivers10 hours ago
Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB
-
Nation8 hours ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Featured10 hours agoFG Reaffirms Nigeria’s Stability As US Embassy Suspends Visa Appointments In Abuja Office
-
Nation8 hours agoHaniel Jack Foundation Awards Five Rivers Indigenes Scholarship
-
Rivers10 hours ago
Experts Converge To Tackle N’Delta Business Challenges