Sports
Boots4Africa Hits Nigeria With Football Dev Programme
Nigeria and other African countries are set to benefit from the football development programme of Boots4Africa a charity organisation based in the United Kingdom and powered by Shiffield Football Club, the oldest football club in the world.
The organisation is pursing its vision of priority football boots free of charge African youngsters, who ordinarily would not be able to afford or have access to one.
According to the African co-ordinator of the organisation Mr. Ipalli Buttons Iyalla, they want to key in to the 2010 World cup to be hosted by Africa for the very first time in South Africa and leave an enduring legacy that will last the time.
He explained that when Richard Tim, chairman of Sheffield FC visited South Africa, he saw children playing football with bare feet and was moved to initiate the Boot4Africa initiative.
Sheffied Fc, seen as where the game truly began wants to use the standing to sow the seeds for the next generation of players.
“These boots may be the children’s first ever pair and each will offer a generation of young people a new sense of hope, pride and ambition”.
Already, five African countries, Nigeria, Congo, Zimbabwe, Cameroun and South Africa have signed on to the programme.
The programme will be officially launched in May in Nigeria, which will be the African headquarters of the organisation.
Iyalla stated that the visions, aims and objectives of the Boot4Africa include using football as a tool for community cohesion and social inclusion, support for youth football associations, foundations, schools and academics by providing boots, footballs and coaching services through training the trainer programmes.
Others are campaign to kickout football violence and youth empowerment, support and promote youth sports education, encourage companies, organisations, states and provinces to create sports facilities, particularly for street kids to play football, among others.
Fund raising is also paramount for the programme inorder to maintain the spirit of the game in Africa.
The organisation, which has made some in roads the six geo-political zones in the country.
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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